The Amazing Alban

(Alban Gerhardt signing autographs at Intermission)
Last weekend, the Majestic Theater was graced by a virtuosic rendition of Saint-Saëns's Cello Concerto No. 1. Friday night, Mr. Gerhardt's performance could easily have been recorded directly to a CD with no need to edit. With great technical prowess and memorable phrasing, he brought the Concerto to life. Besides being an incredible talent, Mr. Gerhardt is also a pleasure with whom to work. After his performance on Saturday evening, he even joined us on stage for the second half of de Falla and Debussy.

Mr. Gerhardt also spoke favorably about us on his blog (http://www.albangerhardt.com/english/index.html). Gerhardt writes: "But I was truly impressed by the quality of the orchestra here. They played in the second half the Three-cornered-Hat by M. deFalla and La Mer (Debussy) - an incredibly perfect performance including passion and great colours. Conductor is Larry Rachleff, a name I’ve never heard before, normally a bad sign for a conductor in his fifties. But not this guy: good musician, and La Mer I haven’t heard that good in a very long time (very difficult piece)." The symphony sends a big "thank you" to Mr. Gerhardt for his kind words.

Pictured above are Mr. Gerhardt, and Principal Cellist Ken Fruedigman and his students.

Backstage Picture of the Week: Violinists Angela Caporale, Bonnie Warner, and Bassam Nashawati.