Randall Goosby praised by Dallas Morning News for Fort Worth Symphony concerts

Randall Goosby performs Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major with Robert Spano conducting the Fort Worth Symphony (Photo credit: Robert W. Hart)

Robert Spano has the Fort Worth Symphony playing with new subtlety and sophistication
By Scott Cantrell
Dallas Morning News
January 15, 2022

FORT WORTH — If Friday night’s concert was any indication, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has a great future ahead. Currently music director-designate, to take over fully next season, Robert Spano had the orchestra playing superbly — and very differently, appropriately, in three very different works.

Mozart’s A major Violin Concerto had the orchestra almost suggesting a top-flight period-instruments ensemble. Even with a fairly large string contingent, the playing was fastidiously controlled; fortes were well supported but unforced. The music was well sprung throughout, with phrases and motifs elegantly tapered.

Randall Goosby was the stylish — indeed, elegant — soloist. Said to be playing a 1735 Guarneri del Gesu violin, he drew sounds of sweet delicacy and suave nuance, without slighting the rhythmic impulse — or the fancies of the Joseph Joachim cadenzas. The “Turkish” intrusion in the finale got earthy enough.

To read the full review, click here.