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Originally published February 23, 2012 at 9:32 AM | Page modified February 23, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Classical review
A night of masterful grace with violinist Itzhak Perlman
The legendary musician also took a turn conducting in his appearance with the Seattle Symphony on Feb. 23.
Special to The Seattle Times
Violinist Itzhak Perlman will be 67 this summer and he can still sell out a concert hall — in this case Benaroya — and play and conduct a performance that brings cheers and shouts from the audience after every work. Not only did it applaud from pleasure but also, clearly, from recognition of Perlman's indomitable spirit.
Wednesday night he directed a classic program of "Summer" and "Winter" from Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," where he took the solo role; Mozart's Symphony No. 38 ("Prague"); and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. He used a classical-sized orchestra for the Mozart and Beethoven, and a smaller one, just 24 string players and harpsichord, for the Vivaldi.
This was not a Baroque-style performance, though most orchestra members used minimal vibrato, but Perlman and the other musicians played with sparkle, energy and dynamic contrasts for a lively, colorful result
A sprightly, elegant Mozart followed, Perlman giving it a light touch but plenty of vitality. He gave the same vitality and grace to the Beethoven.
A case in point was the Beethoven second movement, an Allegretto, played not too slow. Perlman seemed on the same wavelength as the composer as he developed the imaginative ideas in the simple theme, a brief repeated phrase often just on one note with changing harmony. The feel was light, the interweaving of string parts masterly, the whole absorbing.
In this small orchestra (their colleagues being over at Seattle Opera this week), many principal players are section players as a rule, and it was a pleasure to hear them in prominent solos and to know how good they are. Special mention goes to oboist Stefan Farkas and flutist Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby for many beautifully phrased solos, as well as clarinetist Laura DeLuca for her part in the Beethoven, while cellist Theresa Benshoof did excellently in the continuo role of the Vivaldi.
After all, though, it was Perlman's night. His playing is as musical and as polished as ever, and his insights as a conductor make one hope he will be back in that role again soon.
