Music Reviews : YMF Debut Orchestra Plays Lutoslawski

Cheers to the Young Musicians Foundation, for scheduling a major work whose hearings are all too few, and cheers to its Debut Orchestra, for playing it with such elan. Under the baton of Lalo Schifrin, the ensemble gave a brilliant account of Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra at Royce Hall, Sunday.

The 1954 composition demands rapid-fire finger work from the strings and woodwinds, considerable endurance from the brass and alert musicianship all around. The instrumentalists met these challenges adroitly, and delivered a performance characterized by ceaseless momentum. Schifrin maintained proper balances throughout, and allowed the work’s myriad and fascinating details to project in clear relief.

YMF alumnus Jeffrey Solow gave a soulful reading of Eduoard Lalo’s Cello Concerto. Producing a rich, round tone and exercising sure control, the Los Angeles-born cellist shaded melodic lines with subtle expression and imbued the Finale with vigor. Schifrin and his troops provided sure and solid support.