NSO Performs Golijov, Britten & Shostakovich
On Saturday, December 3rd, I went to the Kennedy Center to hear the National Symphony Orchestra perform Golijov's Sidereus, Britten's Violin Concerto, and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1. Eschenbach conducted, and Midori played the violin. This must've been the second or third piece by Golijov I have heard played live, and every time I hear him I think that he would be better as a Hollywood movie composer than as a concert hall composer; his music isn't very deep, but it has a nice sheen and sets a tone that would make good background for visual scenes. I had heard Britten's piece before, but Midori's performance was particularly delicate. And Escehnbach's take on Shostakovich's first symphony was fantastic; it's not one of my favorite works, but the performance was done so well it made me reconsider it.