@cincysymphony continued its 2026-27 season with a spectacular pairing of one of the greatest violin virtuosos of our time with one of the most romantic, expansive symphonies of the early 19th century, under the direction of guest conductor Kwame Ryan (music director of the Charlotte Symphony in North Carolina).
As a curtain-raiser, the orchestra gave the Cincinnati premiere of Fate Now Conquers, written by the rising American composer Carlos Simon for the Philadelphia Orchestra and inspired by an entry in Beethoven’s personal diary quoting Homer’s Iliad. Sonically, it stayed in a classical frame of mind (written for a relatively small, Mozart-sized orchestra) but still contained flashes of modernism (hints of John Adams and Phillip Glass), especially in its syncopated rhythms and accents for timpani and brass and arpeggios in the woodwinds.
Violinist Gil Shaham then joined for a truly rousing performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. One of the best-known Romantic warhorse concertos for violin, Shaham displayed fiery brilliance and a lusciously effervescent purity of tone throughout. The former was most evident in the extended solo cadenza that forms the foundation of the first movement as well as the nonstop virtuosity of the finale, working in perfect harmony with Maestro Ryan. The extremely appreciative Music Hall audience was then treated to one of the most well-known of violin encores, the Gavotte en Rondeau from Bach’s Partita No. 3 in E Major.
Franz Schubert’s “Great” Symphony No. 9, while last symphony he composed, did not receive its premiere until two decades after his death. Maestro Ryan and the CSO gave a performance that perfectly evoked the majesty of the title but still maintaining the passion and intimacy of Beethoven or early Brahms. It was also full of drive and analytical precision rarely encountered in a Schubert symphony which was brought to the fore marvelously. Highest praise goes to the strings, oboes, clarinets and trombones, particularly in the first, second and final movements.
Eagerly looking forward to more exciting performances at Music Hall in November and December. Bravi tutti!
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