Jessie Rivest reviews an OSO performance in 麻豆精选 Friday, April 4, 2025
I walked down Water St. with my partner, who was about to hear the OSO play for the first time. As I attempted to bring him up-to-speed on the previous candidate conductors, and the season thus far, I became more excited to get to the show and meet Julian Pellicano, the fourth and final candidate conductor with a broad and unique musical background. What unfolded was an evening rich with connection鈥攂etween composers, across eras, and among the musicians themselves.
A theme of 鈥渂ridges鈥� emerged: between composers who lived and died within years of each other, and between eras鈥攚hen listeners tune in to music from 300 years ago, 30 years ago, or just 3 minutes ago.
1770鈥檚 Charm
Joseph Bologne鈥檚 Symphony No. 1 in G Major opened the evening with grace and poise, offering a taste of the Classical era鈥檚 elegance. While lighter in emotional stakes than the works that followed, it still provided moments of interest鈥攑articularly in its antiphonal textures, where strings engaged in a playful back-and-forth, almost like a musical conversation. The OSO handled these interchanges with clarity and charm, keeping the energy buoyant.
Timeless Touches
Renowned pianist Janina Fialkowska has been touring the world for over 50 years, and what a treat it was to have her stop in 麻豆精选! Her playing was fluid and heartfelt, her hands billowing like silk across the keys. One could feel the orchestra breathing with her, especially through the final movement鈥檚 thrilling transitions. Pellicano told us backstage that he had heard Chopin鈥檚 piano concerto many times, and Fialkowska was the most delicate, musical second movement he鈥檇 ever heard鈥攁nd it showed. There was a massive standing ovation before breaking for intermission, where the crowd lined up to buy her book, A Note In Time.
Swifties
The Bridgerton-inspired medley was a delightful surprise, bringing the lush aesthetic of the popular Netflix series (even for those of us who haven鈥檛 watched it) to life with clever string arrangements of iconic pop tracks. The transition from Madonna鈥檚 鈥淢aterial Girl鈥� to Alanis Morissette鈥檚 鈥淵ou Oughta Know鈥� was especially unique yet seamless. Because so much of the piece relied on unison playing, the few moments where entrances or tone didn鈥檛 perfectly align stood out, but they were minor in an otherwise entertaining romp. It was a joy to witness so many heads bobbing in the crowd, and Pellicano used the opportunity to demonstrate that the same level of artistic integrity can shine whether conducting Chopin or Taylor Swift.
Sound Worlds from Italy
Mendelssohn鈥檚 Italian Symphony closed the evening with flair, its final movement inspired by a southern Italian folk dance once rumoured to sweat out spider venom鈥攁n ancient ritual that bordered on the trance-like. Pellicano shared his personal connection to this repertoire, havinggrown up immersed in music specific to the region. That intimacy came through in his interpretation: transitions between movements felt both natural and striking, like gently falling into a dream only to be jolted awake by a joyful rhythm. The orchestra moved with growing cohesion throughout, and the wind section shone especially bright in the final movement with its nimble, articulate lines. It was clear the OSO was not just performing the piece, but living inside it.
Bridges and Beyond
Pellicano proved himself a skilled guide in building those bridges鈥攂etween past and present, artist and audience, soloist and symphony. As the OSO鈥檚 65th season continues, anticipation builds: which of the four candidates will be named the next Music Director? The decision will be revealed by the end of May 2025.
Jessie Rivest is a vocalist, sound artist, creative coach, and local arts supporter living in 麻豆精选.
