Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 3/25 Last week, the Cleveland Orchestra performed with two guests: David Zinman, conductor and Richard Goode, pianist. The program began with Edward Elgar's Cockaigne ("In London Town") Concerto Overture OP. 40. The piece was performed with a lively spirit and lush sound. This work is a bit of a show piece with a lot of razzle dazzle and not much content (think Blossom on the grass). Bela Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 3 was next on the program with Richard Goode, Mr. Content himself, playing piano. Mr. Goode has an independent brain in each of his fingers and performs accordingly. Though, if you watch him perform, it is a visual performance in itself in facial interpretation of sound. He can become a bit of a distraction and it is best to take a peak and then close your eyes and emerge yourself and listen to his mastery of piano play. Mr. Goode was particularly stunning in the second movement adagio religioso where he gave a spacious framing of the opening theme and development. Mr. Zinman wove the orchestra brilliantly through Mr. Goode's play to create a pure and clean performance. The concert ended with Johannes Brahms Serenade No.1 in D major, Op.11. Mr. Zinman utilized many of the Cleveland Orchestra's greatest assets in the Brahms. A clarity of sound and warmth of strings were heard in the opening section and the Cleveland Orchestra's amazing ability to play beautifully quiet was heard particularly in the Adagio non troppo. Mr. Zinman handled the orchestra evenly and consistently throughout the evening and with the confidence that he knew what to expect from the players. All this combined made for an enjoyable evening of music listening. from Cool Cleveland contributor Brian Schriefer briancpa@msn.com

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