BSO starts slow, finishes strong

The week 26 performance featured several old "war horses," in performers and selections. The guest conductor was Bernard Haitink, the renowned Dutch conductor who has been on the podium for 60 years, and the pianist was Maria Joao Pires. The opener was the Overture to Manfred by Schumann. As one would expect from the BSO, it was beautifully played, but had little character and sounded like background or movie music. Next up was Mozart's Piano Concerto #23. As Ms. Pires is a Mozart specialist, the piece was technically perfect. Unfortunately, it is a "small" piece, almost more of a chamber music piece, that was not well-suited for Symphony Hall. The pianist got a well-deserved ovation, but we finished the first half somewhat disappointed and bored. Fortunately the second half was a rousing rendition of Brahms' Symphony #1, often referred to as "Beethoven's 10th," reflecting the weight of expections that had been placed on Brahms' shoulders. He took five years to complete the work, and it is monumental. Fully orchestrated, the piece more than filled the hall, and was a suitable last concert for our BSO subscription.