"an exacting dedication to music making" in Atlanta

From the first notes, and the resulting repeat of the entire work, Gaffigan flaunted an unbridled enthusiasm for Thursday’s program. He also showed an exacting dedication to music making. Throughout the composition, strings pulsated and throbbed. In hushed sections, ruddy pizzicato from the cellos maintained the forward propulsion as wispy, delicate strings floated over top.

Gaffigan next turned to Beethoven’s first symphony. Written before the composer lost his hearing (or as Gaffigan referred to the piece from the stage, “pre-grumpy Beethoven”), the symphony can sound a little, well, old – especially following a contemporary work. Conducting at times with his eyes closed, lovingly shaping phrases with cradled arms, Gaffigan brought out the tenderness and delicacy of Beethoven’s orchestration. As the music turned stormy, the ensemble didn’t round the edges of thunderous, booming passages, giving articulated notes a stalactite edge.
- AJC