On the Case

Philharmonic Assistant Conductor Case Scaglione had a whirlwind weekend. Scheduled to conduct the Young People’s Concert on Saturday afternoon, he completed a spirited rehearsal of that “Gypsy Airs” program on Friday morning. Then, just hours later, he was tapped at the last moment to fill in for Kurt Masur — whose arrival at Avery Fisher Hall was delayed due to traffic snarls — on the first half of the evening’s all-Brahms program.

The performance of Brahms’s Double Concerto, with Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow and cellist Alisa Weilerstein (herself a last-minute substitute for ailing Principal Cello Carter Brey), was Case’s subscription concert debut. 

(Chris Lee photo)

Artist Change: Alisa Steps In

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein will perform Brahms’s Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow in this week’s Philharmonic program, replacing Principal Cello Carter Brey, who has had to withdraw due to illness.

Music Director Emeritus Kurt Masur will conduct the November 8–10, and 13 program that also includes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2. 

Brahms’s Musical Dialogue

Glenn Dicterow: ”In this three-part dialogue the themes are passed back and forth among the cello, violin, and orchestra…. We do have similar feelings about this work — it’s very organic. That’s the joy of it.”

Carter Brey: ”We’re so used to playing off each other, I almost don’t have to think about it. It’s a combination of support and spontaneity.”

So said the Philharmonic Concertmaster and Principal Cello about performing as co-soloists in Brahms’s Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra, which they will do again November 8–13 and 13, in a reunion with Music Director Emeritus Kurt Masur. Experience their partnership for yourself in what Glenn calls “one if the greatest concertos ever written” and what Carter identifies as “the Brahms concerto” for cellists.

“The EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour introduces … the Philharmonic’s inaugural International Associates residency with the Barbican Centre, and I look forward to seeing Alan Gilbert and the musicians create a meaningful exchange with the people of London through their artistic leadership and outreach.” —  Zarin Mehta

During the Philharmonic’s first International Associates residency in London, Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow, Principal Cello Carter Brey, Principal Trumpet Philip Smith, Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and Principal Percussion (and recent Grammy winner) Christopher S. Lamb shared their expertise and wisdom with music students through master classes held at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the Barbican Centre.  

“Glenn Dicterow plays tennis, but never slices rolls.”

Despite a busy tour schedule, Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow takes some time to speak to the Westdeutsche Zeitung in Düsseldorf, Germany, ahead of the Orchestra’s February 11 performance there during EUROPE / WINTER 2012. Alan Gilbert makes his debut as Music Director in Düsseldorf, leading a program of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with pianist Lang Lang, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5.