Symphony ends season with glowing melodies
www.mysanantonio.com
June 6, 2015
by David Hendricks
SAN ANTONIO – The dwindling violin passage by Concertmaster Eric Gratz to conclude Rimsky-Korsakov’s sweeping “Scheherazade” Saturday night brought the San Antonio Symphony’s 75th season and its first in the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts to an spectacular end.
The program was one of the most joyous of the season, one gorgeous melody after another. If melody was food, this was a nutritious feast.
“Scheherazade” was performed with full-throated brass, glittery winds, powerful percussion and silky strings, blended under Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing to be transparent and balanced to perfect effect.
Numerous musicians had solo parts, but Gratz was the star amid all the razzle dazzle and romance. The composition is famous for its brilliant orchestration, and the orchestra presented every aspect.