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Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 4/25 Mitsuko Uchida played Piano Concerto No. 25 (K503) the way Mozart might have played it had he lived longer. The freedom she took with cadences -- notes plucked from the keyboard like sweet, ripe grapes -- brought poignancy, delicate emotions, and a mature perspective that says “yes, this is the way life is; over and over it’s pain and sorrow mixed with joy and delight.” The overall upbeat work (it is, after all in C major) ended with a skippy allegretto that showed the delights of being a kid again. Uchida and conductor Sir Colin Davis received a prolonged and well-deserved standing ovation from the whole hall. Jean Sibelius’s majestic and mysteriously grand Symphony No. 2 in D major followed Uchida’s performance. Throughout, the Orchestra and Sir Colin reveled in collaborating with obvious mutual appreciation flowing back and forth. The concert also included a pleasant introductory piece by Berlioz (Overture to Beatrice and Benedict). It seemed clear that just about everyone in the packed hall (even the cheap side chairs were occupied) celebrated this concert as one to cherish.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com
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