Review: “Opening Night” Sets High Bar For Symphony

“The hqdefaultCuban pianist Jorge Luis Prats, barred for 30 years from performing in the U.S., took Rachmaninoff, the audience and the entire orchestra, as well, into his superbly talented hands. If ever a reason was needed to end the embargo, Prats was it. His second Concerto was heart-stopping and heart-breaking in turns, and brought the house to its feet for an unstoppable applause that led a moved Prats to deliver an almost unbelievable three encores: Ignacio Cervantes’ “Danzas Cubanas,” Ernesto Lecuona’s “Mazurka” and Richard Wagner’s “Liebestod” (Liszt’s arrangement) from “Tristan and Isolde.” The year ahead has a high bar to reach, to match this.”