July 13, 2014, 2014 Article by Dave Read

Article by Dave Read

The era of Andris Nelsons at Tanglewood got underway with an All-Dvorák program featuring violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Nelsons’ first concert here since being named the fifteenth Music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, starting with the upcoming fall season at Symphony Hall.

As if it were merely another day at work, Maestro Nelsons jogged up to the podium and summoned the orchestra to action right away. Opening with The Noonday Witch, a Symphonic poem being performed by the BSO for the first time, allowed focus to be on this new union between the 35 year old Nelsons and the 133 year old BSO, rather than on listening to a familiar score being played again. It wasn’t long before they seemed familiar, as if conductor and orchestra were all of a piece.

And ready to accompany Anne-Sophie Mutter on Dvoráks’ Violin Concerto. Described as being “fiendishly diffcult,” as performed tonight, it was a flawless delight, evoking an eruption of applause from the audience. But the happiest people in the Shed were Ms. Muter and Maestro Nelsons, who beamed the brightest of smiles to each other before embracing and taking their bows.

Andris Nelsons and Anne-Sophie Mutter at Tanglewod

They both were on the program two years ago that celebrated Tanglewood’s 75th anniversary. Ms. Muter, who made her international debut in 1976, has recorded Dvorák’s Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic, for release in October.

Mr. Nelsons’ conducting looked fluid and mobile. There was a moment toward the end of the Violin concerto, with Ms. Muter at rest, when he almost stepped off the podium, crouching and reaching toward the violins to draw forth a soft passage. He left footprints and handprints all over the podium, like an animal marking territory. Here’s hoping he enjoys a long and happy occupation of this place!