[...]
The best of the evening came before intermission, beginning with a crystalline
performance of the Carnival Overture by Oscar Morawetz.
The balance of orchestral elements was tight - superb in fact - and so
important, since this very exuberant work requires perfect equilibrium if it is
not to degenerate into mere bombast.
This was balance of the von Karajan school - that is to say, aggressive volume
is permited if the reins are held at all times in check.
I would single out for their excellence the horns in this work as well as the
percussion, which managed a great deal of elation without hysterics. Dutoit and
the orchestra really sank their teeth into this one.
