NYPhil Rehearsal Tchaikovsky's Symph #5 Conducted by Russian born Semyon Bychkov

The NY Philharmonic (Phil) performed a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky's majestic Symphony #5 under guest conductor, Semyon Bychkov (b USSR 1952.)  Bychkov won the Rachmanioff Conducting Competition at age 20 (1972.)  However, he was not granted the honor comes of conducting the Leningrad Phil which is part of the prize.  Shortly after, he emigrated from the USSR and didn't return until 1989 as a guest conductor for the Leningrad Phil.  Currently Bychkov is the Conductor at the Royal Acad of Music with the BBC Symph Orch.  In 2015, he was named Conductor of the year by the Int'l Opera Awards.  Geffen Hall was packed which only made seating more frustrating with the lower orchestra seats cordoned off for patrons.  This infuriates me as the open rehearsal; one price for everyone should entail equanimous seating.  (Of course, the AMC has the express line for its paying members - bah humbug.) However, Tchaikovsky's beautiful music did serve to undermine my umbrage with back of the bus seating. It was interesting to listen & observe Bychkov's rehearsal techniques.  (My last rehearsal experience was mortifying as the guest conductor stopped & started so frequently the tension was palpable & the enjoyment mitigated.)  Today, Bychkov allowed the orchestra to perform the 1st 2 movements without interruption:  "Andante - Allegro con anima " and "Andante cantabile, conaluna licenza."  Maestro Bychkov halted the orchestra and conferred quietly with all sections for 20 minutes and then had them replay these movements.  I noted t the 2nd time the the music had a softer/sweeter tonal quality and was less somber.  For the final 2 movements "Valse:  Allegro moderator" & Finale: Andante maestoso" Bychkov had the Phil play without stopping and then conferred with the members at length (at least 20 minutes.)  The 2nd time I detected a more powerful & militant expression to the music.  The general public is always barred from the first dozen rows so it's not possible to overhear any corrections or communications.  But, it's possible to discern subtleties & engrossing to consider the possibilities the conductor is experimenting with from the compositions.   Tchaikovsky is one of (if not the) most important composers of the 19thC.  Listening to the NY Phil perform this regal and exquisitie work was fantastic (albeit seated in the back.)