Leonard Slatkin

El Salón México is a piece of “musical tourism,” to use an old phrase. It is not to be confused with the Cuban Overture, another piece of musical tourism. The former is by Copland, the latter by Gershwin.

Copland’s Mexican piece opened a concert of the New York Philharmonic recently. The orchestra had a guest conductor, Leonard Slatkin, about whom I had a funny thought. For many years—all of my life, really—I have thought of him as Felix Slatkin’s son. But isn’t it time to stop? Well past time?

Felix Slatkin was a violinist and conductor who died in 1963. Leonard, born in 1944, is now seventy. I don’t know why I still think of him as Felix’s son. Leonard has had a much bigger career than his very gifted dad did.

One of the joys of Leonard Slatkin is that he really, really loves music. What a dumb statement! Doesn’t every professional musician love music? Well, there are degrees, let’s say. Slatkin is an appreciator, devourer, and advocate of almost all music. He is a musician in his heart, and to his fingertips. Also, he’s one of the great talkers about music—a superb radio host, for example.

There are some musicians who retain a child-like glee about music into their senior years. Slatkin is a model of the type.

He conducted El Salón México brilliantly. He conducted it as though it were the most important piece in the world. (It’s not, though it’s pleasant.) He employed a crisp, stylish beat. The tricky rhythms of the piece, he handled beautifully. The performance was colorful, precise, and wonderful.

At several points, the New York Philharmonic sounded loud and brash. That’s exactly the way they’re supposed to sound, especially in American music. It is a tonal signature.

There was some very good first-desk playing, or first-chair playing. When the orchestra was taking its bows, Anthony McGill stood up. Whoa! Where did he come from? For many years, he has been a principal of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Now he has crossed the plaza to the Philharmonic? Who knew? Probably everyone, except me.

I think the Philharmonic had Ricardo Morales as principal clarinet for about two seconds not long ago. I gather he is back in Philadelphia. (On the whole, he’d rather be in Philadelphia?) But McGill will certainly do. Stanley Drucker was with the Philharmonic for almost 63 years. Maybe McGill will do a solid 6.3.

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