Contra Costa Times, 05/11/2002: Artikel über Wysockis Konzert für 2 Violinen und Orchester, UA durch Kent Nagano

Berkeley’s Symphony stellar under Nagano’s command

von Georgia Rowe

Kent Nagano has had such resounding success with 20th-century composers including Adams, Messiaen, and, most recently, Schoenberg, that it’s easy to forget what a persuasive case he can make for the 19th century masters. On Thursday at Zellerbach Hall, the peripatetic conductor led the Berkeley Symphony in Bruckner’s Symphony Nr. 3 in D minor, “Wagner Symphony”, in a performance that was a dramatic reminder of just how urgent this music can sound. [...]

The first half of the concert featured the world premiere of Zdzislaw Wysockis Double Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra, op. 63. Commissioned by Nagano, the Polish composer’s five-movement work contains a breathtaking array of technical challenges for its soloists, including a perpetual motion movement marked “Furioso”.

Nagano led a precise performance that featured the considerable talents of Rick and Karen Shinozaki, the brother-and-sister violin duo for whom the concerto was composed. Wysocki, who was in the audience. came on-stage at the conclusion of the performance to take a well-deserved bow.