Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31st January 2015
“Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 in A-flat Major formed the second half, and Francis spoke engagingly to the audience about the work. Friday’s concert was Cincinnati Symphony’s first performance of it in more than 70 years, under then-music director Eugene Goossens.
A onetime bass player, Francis, 37, recently was named music director of the Florida Orchestra. He is also chief conductor and artistic adviser to the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in Sweden. After Friday’s performance, it was clear that he is young conductor whose star is on the rise.
To anyone who has ever marched to ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ or heard Elgar’s ‘Enigma’ Variations, the music was instantly recognizable. The orchestra, which has been sounding superb lately, played well for Francis, and he made an impressive case for the rarely-played symphony.
It travels from cheerful tunes to the depths of despair, sometimes turning on a dime. Francis’ leadership was confident and intelligent. The orchestral sound was rich with color and expression, and the conductor’s phrasing was beautifully shaped throughout its four movements.
If there was a shining moment, it was the Adagio, which included lyrical solos for violin and clarinet (Timothy Lees and Jonathan Gunn). In the finale, Francis built his forces to a stunning peak, capped by what he described as ‘a hymn of hope,’ nobly introduced by the CSO’s brass choir.”
