American Panoramas: On the Trail with the Phoenix Symphony

By Sam Jacobson, 19 May 2025

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“a remarkable work that captures a remarkable landscape”

Reviewed at Symphony Hall, Phoenix on 17 May 2025

Copland, El Salón México

Márquez, Fandango, Violin Concerto

Still, Wood Notes (Moon Dusk)

Grofe, Grand Canyon Suite

Francisco Fullana, Violin

Phoenix Symphony

Thomas Wilkins, Conductor

Winter Daydreams and a Jazz Age Nutcracker at Disney Hall

Néstor Castiglione, 18th December

A feast of Tchaikovsky with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under guest conductor Thomas Wilkins.

****1

Birth of Cool: Ray Ushikubo revels in Gershwin in Kansas City

Hilary Stroh, 31st March

Pianist Ray Ushikubo turns violinist in his star turn with the Kansas City Symphony and Thomas Wilkins.

****1

Three lessons in music making from Victor Wooten and the BSO

Kevin Wells, 28th October

Inventive, engaging, and above all fun, this performance of Victor Wooten's virtuosic concerto for electric bass guitar invites repeat performances.

****1

NSO triumphs with Boyer and Lang Lang

Sydney Boyd, 18th September

With a world premiere by Peter Boyer and a stunning Beethoven piano concerto deftly played by Lang Lang, the evening didn’t fail to strike a poignantly significant chord.

****1

The disappointments of good intentions in LA

Néstor Castiglione, 16th February

Works by Still and Ellington make their welcome appearance at Disney Hall, but the presentation left a bit to be desired.

***11

Animated seasonal Vivaldi from Apollo’s Fire

Mark Pullinger, 15th April

Has St Martin-in-the-Fields ever heard a more polished performance of that Baroque evergreen, The Four Seasons?

****1

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Sam Jacobson

Sam Jacobson has been writing for Bachtrack since 2015 and is currently in Pittsburgh, having previously lived throughout the Midwest. A keen traveler, he endeavors to see all the great orchestras and opera houses across the US and abroad. Outside of music, he works as a software engineer. He also maintains a blog which can be read here.