NYPhil Rehearsal: All Prokofiev Program with Violinist James Ehnes and French Maestro Stephane Deneve

Today's open rehearsal started in a very friendly, unique way that I've never encountered before today.  Guest conductor Stephane Deneve (b France 1971) Music Dir. of the Brussels Philharmonic stood on his conducting platform, turned to face the audience & wished us all a good morning.  Maybe that sounds mundane, but it's more insane that it's never occurred in all the times I've gone to open rehearsals in NYC or San Francisco.  Usually the audience is treated as if invisible & kept at a distance as voyeurs.  Of course, the 1st 12 rows are always roped to maintain a comfortable distance from the corrections & admonitions given to the musicians.  Maestro Deneve first rehearsed Selections from Rome & Juliet (1935-36).  Included in this "sampler" were Rome & Juliet {Balcony Scene}, The Death of Tybalt, Romeo at the Tomb of Juliet, and 7 other sections from the entire score.  Deneve had the orchestra play all the way through the different movements.   Only afterwards did he go back & give the orchestra his notes & re-rehearsed sections.  He spoke in a friendly but stentorian voice.  More often than not, the conductors speak softly (so as not to be overheard')?  I don't know, but his comments were met with some laughter, nods of approval and there was a general sense of wanting to please the conductor while enjoying the rehearsing.  The 2nd piece played was Prokofiev's Violine Concerto #1 performed by soloist James Ehnes (b Canada 1976).   Ehnes is an accomplished virtuoso on the violin.  Ehnes made his debut at the age of 13 with the Orchestra Symphonique de Montreal.  In 1987, Ehnes won the Grand Prize in strings at the Canadian Music Competition.   The following year he earned 1st Prize in Strings at the Canadian Music Festival (the youngest person to receive this award).  Ehnes' played with serene lyricism, unfaltering musicality and technical virtuosity.  I was transported by his performance & the NYPhilharmonic.  Maestro Deneve also did something that I've never experienced before at an open rehearsal.  When Mr. Ehnes came on stage & shook hands with the conductor Deneve turned to the audience and introduced Enhes.  I was awed by the performance and the generosity & camaraderie of conductor Deneve, violinist Enhes & the NY Philharmonic.