#leila josefowicz

[jeremyesteban]

Esa Pekka Salonen, Violín concerto (2009).

Leila Josefowicz and Phillarmonia Orchestra.

Mirage

Pulse I

Pulse II

Adieu

[aschenblumen]

John Adams, Scheherazade 2 (I. Tale of the Wise Young Woman-Pursuit by the True Believers). David Robertson, director Leila Josefowicz, violín

[musicaespansiva]

It was 'Mostly Polish Night' at the NY Philharmonic. And it was great

My first concert of the season at the Philharmonic. I was able to grab a rush ticket, thus my sort of terrible angle to the stage.

Originally, it was supposed to be Marta Gardolińska conducting, but she fell sick and ever reliable David Robertson stepped in and did a fantastic job.

First up, a small piece by Mason Bates (who composed Kavalier and Clay over at the Met). 'Devil's Radio'. Though it had lots of his typical propulsion, it was not very devilish -- more light and tingly inside the propulsion. Fun, but eh.

Then, our first Polish piece. Szymanowski's 'Violin Concerto #2' -- yes, they had played it before, but not since 1964. I shouldn't be surprised, but I wish it were played more. The first half lays out a lot of themes in a nice meaty way and then immediately segues into a long cadenza separating the two movements that's a showcase -- Leila Josefowicz tore it up. This piece must be really close to her heart. At the end of the cadenza there's an astonishing chord that kicks off the second movement which dances and sings and integrates folk (pseudo-folk) melodies effortlessly. I want to hear this again, especially in the concert hall. And for an encore, she played a thrilling little contemporary piece with lots of fingerwork that she just dashed off like nothing.

In the second half I had once of those rare experiences where the program notes and the performance style work in tandem to make a piece come alive -- where the notes show you the musical quotations and it's really possible to hear them while still maintaining the excitement of the overall piece. I don't think I've ever heard Lutosławski's Concerto For Orchestra before live -- on disc it never really stuck with me. Here the notes had two quotations of the principal themes of the first and third movements, and laid out the overall structure. Robertson's performance was perfect and clear and you could really follow the introduction and transformation of the two themes. The first movement starts out really strong with the first theme, and ultimately the third movement builds in a chorale (the second quotation) to a dynamic ending. I need to go back and listen again, but I really now feel this CfO gives Bartok's a run for the best one of the 20th century.

Robertson is simultaneously amiable. communicative, and in control and especially given the probably limited time to prepare, this was a fantastic concert.

30 Sept 2025, New York Philharmonic, David Robertson conductor with Leila Josefowicz, violin.

[thenamesoflincolncenter]

My first Philharmonic concert of the 25/26 season. A fantastic Polish themed concert with Leila Josefowicz and David Robertson substituting at the last minute.

[nonesuchrecords]

It was 20 years ago today: John Adams' Road Movies was released on Nonesuch. The album includes the title piece, performed by violinist Leila Josefowicz and pianist John Novacek; Hallelujah Junction, performed by pianists Nicolas Hodges and Rolf Hind (and later heard in the film Call My By Your Name); China Gates and American Berserk played by Hodges; and Phrygian Gates, played by Hind.

Design by John Gall. Photo by Deborah O’Grady.

[sunset-supergirl]

Happy birthday Leila Josefowicz

[nonesuchrecords]

It was 5 years ago today: John Adams's Scheherazade.2 was release on Nonesuch. You can hear it again here.

Adams's "cinematic music goes a long way in unfolding a potent drama, masterfully illuminated by conductor David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony," says NPR. "The fierceness and vulnerability Leila Josefowicz expresses contributes to an award-caliber performance."

Design by John Heiden for SMOG Design. Cover Photo: Shirin Neshat, I Am Its Secret, 1993.

[sunset-supergirl]

Happy birthday Leila Josefowicz