I read an article by Anthony Tommasini in NY Times, regarding a concert held in April 12th by the New York Philharmonic. I was curious to see the comment about the Amsterdamborn conductor, Jaap van Zwedan, who was named the music director designate for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, a local orchestra in my hometown. The concert program included Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, by piano soloist, Yuja Wang, and Mahler’s Symphony No 1, which is one of my favourite symphonies.

In the review, Anthony Tommasini mentioned that it was a pretty impressive concert. Mr. Zweden, the music conductor of Dollas Symphony Orchestra since 2008, is a fast-rising conductor in recent years. He is an accomplished violinist, who later became a conductor.  Before Mahler’s symphony, pianlist Yuja Wang also did a great job on Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, a neo-classical work. Yuja Wang showed extra-ordinary talent. She played this Prokofiev’s piece in swift mode and established the tempo of the piece. She punched the chord in steely sounds. Mr. Zweden gave her good backing, but rhythm details were little rushed. Tommasini preferred the version when Yuja Wang played with conducter of Claudio Abbado, because Abbado reined her speed such that her playing has a little more grance. In the Mahler, Mr. Zweden’s performance was emphati, especially the 3rd and 4th movement.

 Mahler composed his Symphony  No. 1 between 1884 until 1906. It was unsuccessful in the premiere. He was under a great stress due to that disastrous reception. The work played at that time, around 1889, was originally a five movement “Symphonic Poem”. It was later on edited to this four movement symphony. Anthony Tommasini mentioned that he associated the first movement with autumnal cast. I don’t agree with this because the first movement gave me a spring feeling, like a new beginning of the world. I listened to the Bernstein’s performance in YouTube video. I like the 3rd movement, which is a funeral march. It opened with the double bass solo, followed by bassoon and tuba. I like the alternation between the two themes and mood, the alternation of extreme sad and happy. Firstly, it was sad and slow, and then the mood changed to full of life, like in a circus.

Comment on this conductor is good. I would go to any of his concert in the future. Tommasini’s article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/14/arts/music/philharmonic-with-jaap-van-zweden-conducting-yuja-wang.html?_r=1.