The Nir and the Far

Santa Barbara Symphony, Nir Kabaretti, Conductor, at the Granada Theatre, on Saturday, May 17.

Completing his eighth year leading the Santa Barbara Symphony, Maestro Nir Kabaretti has continued to demonstrate brilliance and warmth, high-level music making and accessibility. No one present Saturday would doubt the world-class artistry now regularly exhibited by the orchestra, nor the sensitive attunement of players to the maestro’s musical vision. Substantial fare included Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No.5. This reviewer overheard several patrons afterwards reconsidering their feelings about Shostakovich based on this powerful performance—and isn’t opening minds a yardstick for success by any measure? Continue reading →