A captivating night with Beethoven and the Orlando Philharmonic

The Orlando Philharmonic didn’t know that it was my birthday, but they gave me a wonderful birthday present anyhow. They performed two of my very favorite Beethoven pieces: the Piano Concerto #5, the “Emperor,” and Symphony #3, the “Eroica.”

Allow me to reiterate how much the citizens of Orlando could celebrate having their very own excellent symphony orchestra. The cultural element that Orlando’s fine orchestra brings, makes people like my b.w. and me forget that we left New York and moved back to the hinterlands from which I sprang. Music is the international language and it is being spoken very fluently in Orlando these days.

The “Emperors” pianist was Russian, Daniil Tsvetkov, winner of the second Florida International Piano Competition, and he played with fine technique and profound musical understanding, delivered with a very amiable touch. Orchestral accompaniment was “top notch.” Conductor Jacobsen doesn’t let grass grow under his feet, his expressive tempi predominate as they should. The second movement was particularly memorable for its lyric singing quality and demonstrated the pianist’s knowledge of contrasts. Mr. Tsvetkov’s runs and trills had all the requisite clarity — a fine, and refined, performance indeed.

The “Eroica” demands prodigious conducting elegance and received it from conductor Jacobsen. This piece established Beethoven’s composing brilliance. It must have been a thrill for the people who heard this symphony when it was first played. Conductor Jacobsen has the talent to show what he wants and he gets it from the orchestra. Woodwind playing was often exemplary. The performance was at the Plaza Live Theater, Jan. 25, with a “sold out” audience!