SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL CONCERT REVIEW

The program opened with Wagner's Siegfried Idyll, in a lean reading persuasively led by Asher Fisch.  Fluent and flowing, it was as tender and lush as the Schoenberg was icy and spare.  Standouts in the excellent ensemble included James Austin Smith on oboe, and in the fleeting trumpet climax, Paul Murphy.

It should be mentioned that, for those who think that New York City concerts always come with a price tag (sometimes exorbitant) this evening was free.  And given the prowess of the ACJW musicians, I can't imagine a more rewarding way to spend two hours, hearing them tackle two touchstones of the repertoire.  I was completely transported.

Bruce Hodges, MusicWeb International

Source: http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2009/Jan-Jun09/ACJW20901.htm