Humbled. It’s the only word to describe the feeling of watching someone masterfully conduct a wonderful orchestra, and beautifully play a Beethoven violin concerto solo, at the same time, and without music to read. Utterly humbled. To witness an orchestra conducted by mere looks, hip movements, and head nods while the conductor was consumed by fingering complex music on the violin was nothing short of stunning.

The Enigma Variations were an emotional roller coaster that was just wonderful. I had hoped an English orchestra might bring extra soul to this piece, and the way many players swayed while playing only confirmed this most English piece was deep within their bones. It was magnificent.

The encore reminded me of of a great cup of coffee after an amazing meal. It was the perfect denouement.

While the baritone was somewhat weak in terms of voice projection, the conductor’s punctuation of key phrases throughout the performance not only compensated, but served to lend new meaning to many of the sung lines. It was almost fugue-like at times, which was brilliant. Indeed, the occasional improvisations of both the soprano and tenor were artistic delights, and highlighted their mastery of thr music beautifully. The more pronounced use of the pipe organ than in prior years was both refreshing and exhilarating, leading some to comment after the final bows were taken that this performance had such amazing drama and pomp. I do wish, though, that the solo singers had stood closer to the stage front edge, as their voice projection, standing somewhat behind the line where the conductor stood, was often blocked by the conductor. But that’s a small complaint. On balance, the performance was a tour-de-force.

Didn’t think I could be surprised by The Messiah but I was. Slow was fast, and fast was slow. Long notes were played staccato, and parts typically played on a clipped manner were played lugibriously. Aside from the highly stylistic performance, the unexpected treatment of many sections compelled one to listen far more carefully than might otherwise happen, and what one hears is well worth it. The text takes on new meaning. And even things like a parts played by the bassoon pops out which usually is obscured. Total delight. And we enjoyed the gusto with which the harpsichord player demonstrated. It’s totally fun watching players so into their music.