Larry and Lilya

(Pictured above are Lilya Zilberstein and Larry Rachleff)
According to Mike Greenberg (San Antonio Express-News), Larry Rachleff and Lilya Zilberstein "knocked the socks off the audience and the orchestra" once again. Mike was certainly correct in writing that statement, as Larry and Lilya wowed both musician and listener. This weekend the symphony performed Respighi's Gli uccelli, Elgar's Enigma Variations, and accompanied Lilya in Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Both Friday and Saturday evenings, the concerts were superb.

It's amazing what can be accomplished over the course of only three days of rehearsal. When the orchestra first read through the concert program, it was not in the "superb" category. However, before the end of the first rehearsal, the stage was set for greatness to ensue. One may then wonder how superb concerts occur. Obviously, it takes talented musicians who are dedicated, disciplined, and determined to perform at the highest level of playing, as is the case with the San Antonio Symphony.

Besides this though, it takes a master craftsman to reveal the musical road map for each piece, to guide the musicians down this path and to instruct them to observe the many details along the way. This craftsman is the overseer of all that happens in a musical piece. Thus, this individual is of the greatest importance. Larry Rachleff completely fills this role, and then some. He has been and is a champion of musical excellence and musical expression. Each time he steps foot on the podium, he draws out the best of every musician and leads us from playing as individuals to harmoniously performing as a cohesive unit. The Friday and Saturday performances were proof of this fact. So, to answer the earlier question, it takes a great orchestra and a great conductor to achieve a "superb" performance.
Backstage Picture of the Week: The Heartbeat of the Orchestra! Percussionists Bill Patterson, Warren Johnson, Sherry Rubins, and Kari Klier.

Hopefully starting a new tradition, the photo below marks the first of its kind on this blog.
Backstage Humor: Charlie's Angels?? Violinist Aimee Toomes, Director of Orchestra Personnel Janni Toomes, and trombonist Amanda Stewart.