Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@cincysymphony continued its 2025-26 season with an exciting program pairing two supreme achievements of classical music during the 18th and 20th centuries, respectively, under the direction of former associate conductor Samuel Lee, making a fabulous return appearance to Cincinnati.
The orchestra opened with a sprightly reading of a rarely-performed work by a rarely-performed composer, the second of three orchestral overtures by Louise Ferranc, a figure who was equally renowned in her time as a professor of piano at the Paris Conservatoire but who wrote music in a style recalling late Beethoven and early Brahms.
Two works by Maurice Ravel followed, beginning with his orchestration of the piano suite Le Tombeau de Couperin, written between 1914 and 1917 to honor various friends who had died fighting in World War I. Standout moments included a gorgeous oboe solo by Dwight Parry in the opening Prélude and the jovial string and wind writing in the concluding Riguadon.
Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, composed roughly 15 years later, is an under appreciated masterpiece which was given a SENSATIONAL performance by guest soloist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Rarely have I heard a pianist play this work with such excitement, vitality, bite and mystery, perfectly matched by the strong sense of communication between him and the orchestra. This was most evident in the opening cadenzas and central march, punctuated by strong percussion and brass. Bavouzet then followed with two exciting Ravel encores, a short Prélude written as a test piece for piano students at the Paris Conservatoire and the concluding Toccata from Le Tombeau de Couperin. His facility and artistry in these works truly were boundless and supreme.
Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony might be considered a middle child among his orchestral works, loved by all but sometimes not performed as often as the third or fifth symphonies. Maestro Lee and the CSO remedied this with a sprightly, jovial reading to close out the program. Watching Lee conduct this work made me really appreciate how much of a bond he has built with the musicians of this orchestra, and they clearly enjoyed working with him.
Bravi tutti!