Natsuki Fukusawa joined the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening and together, they made beautiful music. Michael Neumann, Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor put together a stunning selection of music from Beethoven’s Concerto for Piano No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58.
Natsuki Fukusawa took immediate command of the 9 foot Steinway, making it respond with beautiful melody under the control of her precise and elegant fingering.
The audience, always appreciative of the Symphony Orchestra’s work, were especially pleased with the performance this evening.
Prior to Natsuki Fukusawa coming onto the stage, the Orchestra played Felix Medelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian.” After the intermission, they played Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World.”
I always enjoy listening to the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra but there was something special about this performance. I can’t put my finger on what it was, exactly, but it must be that they are growing, together, under Michael Neumann’s leadership.
Anita Felix and the strings, as always, were fabulous, the wind section commanding, and percussion striking. A wonderful performance that left me with the music still in my head and the desire to hear it all again, exactly the same as the first time.