We attended the New York Philharmonic Saturday, and, if the classical record industry is in trouble, classical music is still vibrantly alive. Ionarts gets it precisely right, Saturday's concert was about as balanced a program as I've ever heard and it was a meeting of equals.
Sir Colin Davis cannot possibly be 80! He was a marvel to watch, as he coaxed color and precision out of the Phil—and the post-Masur NYP is a remarkable orchestra. It has the lush ensemble sound of Ormandy's Philadelphia band and the precision of the Reiner era CSO. It has come a long way from the late '80s doldrums.
And then there was Ms. Uchida. I doubt I will ever hear a Mozart concert performed with more balance or greater artistry. When I'm a doddering old man, Saturday night is one I'll still be invoking as one of the great ones.
