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Santora Making His Mark with the CCO

Mary Ellyn Hutton
Posted: Jan 8, 2001 - 2:33:40 PM in archives

(first published in The Cincinnati Post Jan. 8, 2001)

Who's Keith Lockhart?

No offense to the conductor of the Boston Pops, formerly music director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, but his successor at the CCO, Mischa Santora, is filling his shoes just fine.

Sunday afternoon's CCO concert at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine was further evidence that the 29-year-old Santora, in his first season as CCO music director, has nothing to fear from Lockhart's shadow. He is an engaging personality - on the podium and off - and he has taken charge of the orchestra in a relaxed and collegial manner that has won over his musicians while commanding their respect.

Sunday's program happily demonstrated Santora's gift for working with an orchestra. The opening Divertimento for String Orchestra by Bartok would have been worth the price of admission. Hungarian like Bartok (though Santora was born in the Netherlands), Santora let it be known what kind of blood flows in his veins.

The CCO strings, abetted by the hall's hard-edged acoustics, caught the robust spirit of the work. There were moments of earthy abandon and fine-tuned expressivity, as in the central Adagio, which moved from mysterious quietude to hair-raising alarm. The dance-like finale featured a playful episode for plucked strings answered by glissandi in the violas. Solo work by concertmaster James Braid and other CCO principals was outstanding.

Guest artist in Richard Strauss' Horn Concerto No. 2 was French hornist David Jolley, who, aided by the CCO and Santora's exuberant conducting, made fine work of it. The horn's opening flourish, answered by a full-bodied CCO, captured the listener's attention and Jolley never let it go, soaring in the romantic second movement and cavorting nimbly in the Rondo, where he and the CCO horns joined in a glorious unison moment near the end.

The mood continued in the final work, Haydn's Symphony No. 99. It was instructive to watch Santora here. He has a crystal clear beat, which is also very expressive - crucial assets for Classical Period works like Haydn.

The grave introduction yielded to a joyful Allegro, where Santora had fun with the sly second theme. Elegance marked the Adagio, the air of a swirling dance the Menuetto. Santora pitched it just right. It's no wonder the CCO plays so well for him.

Repeat is 7:30 tonight at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in Symmes Township.