Photo: Winslow Townson

“As in the Elgar, conductor and orchestra inverted an inherited truth, teasing out a touchingly human dimension from one of the 20th century’s most impenetrably abstract artists…. For their part, the orchestra’s contributions were tonally full-bodied, texturally clear, and shapely. What’s more, the collective’s dynamic range was as expansive as its grasp of shifting Elgarian character proved impressive. The last owed, at least in part, to Slobodeniouk, whose affinity for the concerto was evident from the downbeat, especially in his mastery of its many rubato episodes. These are notoriously tricky to pull off. Yet, on Thursday, they all emerged with unfettered naturalness. One looks forward to the day when the conductor returns to Symphony Hall with Elgar’s symphonies—especially the glorious Second—in tow.”

Jonathan Blumhofer, Boston Classical Review