Michelle DeYoung Sings Berg

MTT conducts Schubert's Unfinished Symphony
San Francisco Symphony
Wed, May 27, 2009 7:00pm
Davies Symphony Hall

Michael Tilson Thomas
conductor

Michelle DeYoung
mezzo-soprano

Schubert
Rosamunde Overture

Berg
Seven Early Songs

Schubert
Symphony No.8 in B minor, Unfinished

Berg
Three Pieces for Orchestra

I didn't understand the pairing of Schubert & Berg on this program, but I did want to hear Michelle DeYoung do the Seven Early Songs, especially as I recently missed out on Kožená's version. The Rosamunde Overture made for a light start. Ensemble was a bit loose, as was the general direction of the interpretation. There was nothing indecisive about DeYoung, however. She gave a big, brawny, operatic performance that made me immediately want to hear her sing Fricka. Her strong, substantial voice seems to come from someplace below her feet. She's also impressively tall, & looked like she was going to hit her head on the stage door when she exited.

The Unfinished felt held-back & flattened, but it was worth it to hear the even & controlled woodwind solos by Carey Bell (clarinet), William Bennett (oboe) & Tim Day (flute) in the 2nd movement. For some reason these principals were absent from the 1st half, & it made a big difference to hear them now.

By this time I thought we were going to get away without hearing MTT talk, but just before the final Three Pieces for Orchestra, he picked up a microphone & gave a lengthy & detailed synopsis of the work, as he did when the Symphony played it back in January. The performance was straight-forward & many orchestral details were admirably clear. MTT made the dance mood of the 2nd movement very apparent, & the final movement went swiftly.

P.S.
I liked the early start time for this evening. It was still light out during the intermission, & we got out just before 9pm. This seems good for a weekday show.

There was quite a convocation of bloggers at the intermission, so this event should be well-documented. Besides the ubiquitous Opera Tattler, I saw The Ambassador & met Cedric of SFist. I was also pleased to finally meet The Civic Center, with camera around his neck, snapping pictures of the Tattler. I now know to look forward to seeing him shoot the tenor in Tosca next week.