NYPHIL. Rehearsal, A. COPLAND & C. ROUSE

Leonard Slatkin returning conductor for the NYPhil. rehearsed Copland's El Salon Mexico & the NY  premier of Chritopher Rouse's Flute Concerto.  Copland, is known as "Dean of American Composers" for his innovative compositions that evoke our pioneering spirit and expansive landscapes.  Copland  wrote El Salon Mexico after his travels through the Mexican in the early 30's.  While traveling through Mexico, he visited the famous dance hall El Salon Mexico which made a strong impression.  Copland's signature ballets; Appalachian Spring & Rodeo are clearly interwoven into El Salon Mexico but the flair of Mexican dance is evident.  I envisioned women dancers swirling in their long frilly dresses to mariachi melodies.  Christopher Rouse is finishing his 3rd year as the Philharmonic's composer-in-residence.  Rouse's Flute Concerto was making it's New York Premiere.  The opening flute solo was  innovative & serenely alluring.  A full orchestration came in suddenly but carried the flute along without overpowering it.  The majestic orchestration included bells, cymbals, a xylophone, a harp, a snare & tenor drum.  The glorious wind & string section were vibrant & stirring.   Sandpaper blocks had intermittent solos which accentuated the shifts in movements.  Rouse's innovative style contains surprising elements that delight & create fresh interpretations on classical compositions.  Rouse's departure at the end of this season will be missed.  I plan not to miss any of his other works in the Philharmonic's upcoming repertoire.