By Scott Cantrell | Dallas Morning News
A most enjoyable program of music unlikely to be heard anywhere else around here was served up Tuesday night by the Dallas Chamber Symphony. At least a quick search turned up no recent record of any other area performance of these three pieces for string orchestra.
Elgar’s 1905 Introduction and Allegro certainly defies latter-day misperceptions of the composer as all stiff upper lip. No, there’s real passion as well as great tenderness here, and artistic director Richard McKay brought out both. McKay had it playing with assurance as well as generous expressive flexibility.
Although Reinecke was considered conservative in his day, the G minor Serenade sounds very au courant for 1898. Indeed, six movements contrasting ebullience and reflection could pass for a cross between Dvorák and Elgar. The writing is deft and effective, and McKay led a wonderfully engaged and engaging performance.