Friedenberg stood stock still before the orchestra, his reddened face the only sign of how hard he was working, a very sweet, warm tone like melted chocolate flowing smoothly from his horn. Friedenberg shone as brightly in lyrical passages as in technical displays, leaping between octaves and running through arpeggios. The high point was Friedenberg's rendition of the final movement, a popular romp, with its creative and varied returns to a hunting theme. Wong reduced the orchestra to about 40 musicians, more than as originally scored, but better in balance with today's larger auditoriums and brighter, more powerful instruments. A smallish orchestra, coupled with Mozart's transparent orchestration, means more exposed playing, a feature that makes Mozart surprisingly difficult to play well.
Every part sounds like a solo.
Nunez's subtle support was particularly impressive. Beneath Mozart's surface beauty, however, lies passion, joy, humor, even pain. Click for online calendars and events.