Bulgarian Conductor Breathes Life into Classic Works at Minnesota Orchestra
On Thursday night, the Minnesota Orchestra welcomed back principal guest conductor Delyana Lazarova to Orchestra Hall, marking her second visit to the venue in less than a year. The Bulgarian maestro delivered a riveting performance of Antonin Dvorak's "New World" Symphony, alongside works by Caroline Shaw and Joseph Haydn.
Lazarova's energetic presence and attention to detail were evident throughout the concert, which kicked off with Shaw's hauntingly beautiful "Entr'acte". This liminal piece explores the boundaries between light and darkness, its dream-like quality conjuring images of a world in flux. The orchestra navigated this tonal terrain with precision and sensitivity, their movements fluid and expressive.
Just as the performance reached its crescendo, an unexpected disruption occurred when an audience member began to experience a mental health crisis. Despite the chaos, principal cellist Tony Ross remained focused and steadfast, locking eyes with Lazarova as the orchestra continued, much to the credit of his composure under pressure.
The moment passed, and the orchestra refocused on Haydn's Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major, featuring soloists Yi Zhao, Erik Wheeler, Kate Wegener, and J. Christopher Marshall. The work was a masterclass in ensemble playing and spotlight moments, showcasing the musicians' versatility and technical prowess.
After intermission, Lazarova led the orchestra through Dvorak's "New World" Symphony, a work that has become an iconic representation of American classical music. Though penned by a European visiting the United States, Dvorak's vision for America remains a powerful statement on indigeneity and cultural exchange. The symphony unfolded with ease under Lazarova's guidance, its moods shifting from soft and lyrical to dark and driving.
Throughout the performance, it was clear that Lazarova is a conductor of great vitality, her energy infusing every movement with dynamism. As the audience filed out of Orchestra Hall, they left with a fresh sense of discovery, having been treated to a truly unforgettable evening of music-making.
On Thursday night, the Minnesota Orchestra welcomed back principal guest conductor Delyana Lazarova to Orchestra Hall, marking her second visit to the venue in less than a year. The Bulgarian maestro delivered a riveting performance of Antonin Dvorak's "New World" Symphony, alongside works by Caroline Shaw and Joseph Haydn.
Lazarova's energetic presence and attention to detail were evident throughout the concert, which kicked off with Shaw's hauntingly beautiful "Entr'acte". This liminal piece explores the boundaries between light and darkness, its dream-like quality conjuring images of a world in flux. The orchestra navigated this tonal terrain with precision and sensitivity, their movements fluid and expressive.
Just as the performance reached its crescendo, an unexpected disruption occurred when an audience member began to experience a mental health crisis. Despite the chaos, principal cellist Tony Ross remained focused and steadfast, locking eyes with Lazarova as the orchestra continued, much to the credit of his composure under pressure.
The moment passed, and the orchestra refocused on Haydn's Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major, featuring soloists Yi Zhao, Erik Wheeler, Kate Wegener, and J. Christopher Marshall. The work was a masterclass in ensemble playing and spotlight moments, showcasing the musicians' versatility and technical prowess.
After intermission, Lazarova led the orchestra through Dvorak's "New World" Symphony, a work that has become an iconic representation of American classical music. Though penned by a European visiting the United States, Dvorak's vision for America remains a powerful statement on indigeneity and cultural exchange. The symphony unfolded with ease under Lazarova's guidance, its moods shifting from soft and lyrical to dark and driving.
Throughout the performance, it was clear that Lazarova is a conductor of great vitality, her energy infusing every movement with dynamism. As the audience filed out of Orchestra Hall, they left with a fresh sense of discovery, having been treated to a truly unforgettable evening of music-making.
Delyana Lazarova is literally a breath of fresh air! her passion for the music shines through in every performance she gives, and tonight was no exception. that audience member incident was super intense, but Tony Ross's composure was EVERYTHING 
i mean, who else can say they locked eyes with a conductor during a mental health crisis? 
the way the orchestra played Haydn's Sinfonia concertante was just perfection - so much ensemble energy and technical skill. and Dvorak's "New World" Symphony... wow! it's such an iconic piece, and Lazarova brought out all its nuances and depth. she really gets what makes the music tick 
delyana lazarova is like a breath of fresh air for classical music 
her energy on stage was infectious and had me completely swept up in the performance 
and can i just say how cool it was to see tony ross keep his cool when someone in the audience started freaking out during shaw's entr'acte ? 
that moment of calm and focus from the cellist was truly inspiring 
. And can we talk about how this incident actually highlighted the importance of ensemble playing and musicians' versatility? It was like the orchestra was able to turn a potential disaster into an amazing opportunity for growth and improvement 
. On a bigger note, it got me thinking - why are there no mental health initiatives specifically for classical musicians? Like, we need to talk about this in our community and find ways to support each other during those tough times 
what really gets me though is how the orchestra handled that drama with the audience member - talk about keeping it together under pressure 
and the way the orchestra came together for haydn's sinfonia concertante was pure magic 
. and can we talk about that cellist Tony Ross for a sec? he's a total rockstar 
I mean, when someone's having a mental health crisis in the middle of the concert and he just keeps it together like that... it's truly inspiring 
. anyway, i'm so glad the orchestra was able to refocus and finish off the night with that beautiful Dvorak symphony - it's definitely going on my playlist for next time 
but seriously though, the way Tony Ross kept his cool under pressure is like something out of a movie. 
his composure under pressure is literally the best thing ever 
and can we talk about the ensemble playing in that Haydn piece? 
those soloists killed it! 