LINDSAY DEUTSCH
By Jeffrey Johnson Norwalk Symphony specializes in bright sonic colors. These colors worked to advantage in a program of music by composers from, or influenced by, Latin American and Spanish culture. The Jan. 24 evening centered around an energetic and intense performance of "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" by Ástor Piazzolla, in the tasty violin concerto arrangement by Leonid Desyatnikov. Young, emerging violinist Lindsay Deutsch joined the symphony as soloist. She brought a charismatic feel to this music and was able to interact with, and engage, the string section in visual and musical gestures. Deutsch plays with razor-sharp precision but also can find the darker, jazzy night-life of this music. Principal cellist Gunnar Sahlin played a gorgeous solo in the midsection of the opening movement, and he and bassist Chris Finet, in particular, led a responsive and resonant orchestral sound. Conductor Diane Wittry designed this program so that each half opened with works for full orchestra, the Spanish Dance No. 1 from "La Vide Breve" by Manuel de Falla to open the concert, and Danzón No. 2 by the living Mexican composer Arturo Márquez to open the second half of the program. The Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov closed the program, and was followed by an encore; "Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson. It was endearing how many folks in the audience were quietly singing the words of the Blue Tango. Consistent with other programs this season, the Norwalk Symphony sounded refreshed and made some memorable music happen on a cold winter night in Norwalk. |