YouTube Symphony Orchestra Performs at Carnegie Hall

The video speaks for itself, perhaps, but I was delighted to attend the debut concert of the You Tube Symphony Wednesday night in person. The sound was fabulous. Hard to believe that the ninety-some performers had never played together until less than a week before.

I would like to compliment the woodwinds, who played with marvelous clarity, but the brass section was also fantastic. I I would have gladly heard ten more Gabrieli "echo" pieces such as the one performed from the opposing balconies. Likewise, the string sections sang as one virtuoso instrument.

The percussionists clearly knew their stuff as well. However, I would have been happier without the John Cage piece. That's not the fault of the performers, but of the pretentious yet nonsensical composition.

I have to hope that the next performance of the You Tube Symphony Orchestra will break out of the Cage.

The vocal soloist, Ms. Brueggersgosmann, obviously has immense ability, but her talent was wasted on meaningless jabber.

On the positive side, the short videos highlighting certain members of the orchestra added a welcome human interest dimension. And the flying fingers of Yuja Wang were nothing short of phenomenal.

Barry Wood of VA 4:43PM April 17, 2009