Yoichi Udagawa hits the right notes with New England Philharmonic

The fourth and final music director candidate led the orchestra with aplomb on Saturday night

By A.Z. Madonna, The Boston Globe staff, June 20, 2022

Conductor Yoichi Udagawa, shown in this undated handout photo, led the New England Philharmonic on Saturday evening at Jordan Hall. COURTESY OF YOICHI UDAGAWA

On its worst days, the New England Philharmonic sounds like an above-average amateur orchestra, which is exactly what it is. On its best days, it rivals several professional groups in technical prowess, surpassing those same groups by a mile in spice and enthusiasm. All this is to say that when the Boston Symphony Orchestra plays Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra next January, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the “Big Five” orchestra to lay down a cleaner take than Saturday evening’s rendition by the all-volunteer ensemble that rehearses once a week. But when it comes to connecting with the music and performing with spirit, the New England Philharmonic sets a high standard. Good luck, BSO.

The Philharmonic has had an eventful season of auditions, with four music director candidates taking trial runs with the orchestra in hopes of being the successor to music director emeritus Richard Pittman, who suffered a severe stroke in 2020. Yoichi Udagawa, the fourth and final candidate, is already a conductor about town. He holds music director positions with the professional Cape Ann Symphony along with the volunteer Melrose Symphony Orchestra and Quincy Symphony Orchestra. With these three ensembles, Udagawa typically leads standard orchestral fare, from Mozart to the early 20th-century with a pops concert here and there. Though Saturday’s program was a change of pace — including the local premiere of three pieces, the world premiere of one, and the devilish orchestral showcase that is the Lutoslawski Concerto — he hit the right notes with the musicians and the audience.

Read the full review at The Boston Globe.