Examiner praises classical finale with James Ehnes

The Examiner reviews the NJSO’s classical season finale featuring Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben:

The first episode [of Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben”], “The Hero,” came off rumbustiously, full of energy. The third, “The Hero’s Companion,” pitted an at-first chatty and querulous violin played by Concertmaster Eric Wyrick against the orchestra, the eponymous Hero. Numerous times the Hero tried to speak, only to be bettered by the garrulous solo violin of the Companion. Her reappearance in an extensive duet between French horn and violin in the final episode, “The Hero’s Retirement from this World and Consummation,” was touching, as if welcoming her Hero, praising his accomplishments and—ever the soprano—ending on an ethereal high note.

Jacques Lacombe was in peak form, leading both monumental works masterfully. Beethoven flows through his veins, but he and NJSO virtually have Strauss in their genetic makeup.

Read the full review.