Praise for James Gaffigan and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Photo credit: JMilteer Photography

“Review: At Friday's Pittsburgh Symphony concert” by Jeremy Reynolds
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 4, 2023

Guest conductor James Gaffigan led Friday’s concert, which opened with the finest performance of a Mozart symphony I’ve ever heard from the orchestra. Mozart’s “Jupiter” symphony is sheer elegance coupled with sudden shifts in volume in character, like allowing a 4-year-old control of dad’s stereo volume.

It’s delightfully surprising. The orchestra was impeccably together and immaculately balanced, playing with a sense of polish and style joyous to behold.

The concert finished with Ravel’s “La Valse,” which begins with fragmentary burbling in the low winds and strings that slowly coalesces into a glittering waltz theme.

After rehearsal on Thursday, Gaffigan described the piece as a glimpse into the underbelly of Disney, where the actors take off the Mickey Mouse costumes and share a smoke — indeed, the concert wrapped with a gloriously shattered illusion.

The bulk of Gaffigan’s career is in Europe, alas. He’s welcome back here anytime.