Pinchas Zukerman performs with the Oregon Symphony in Salem

To say that, as a conductor, Pinchas Zukerman is the antithesis of Carlos Kalmar is probably an understatement.  Kalmar is vibrant and engaging of the audience while at times during Tuesday’s performance with the Oregon Symphony in Salem, Zukerman’s body language intimated that the audience was an encumbrance.  His aloof style and languid movements were often counter intuitive to the music that was being played creating a visual disconnect for the audience between the conductor and the orchestra.  Kudos to the concertmaster and principals for their leadership, because the orchestra sounded great.  

The solo work by principal oboist Martin Hebert in the third movement of the Schumann was absolutely sublime.  Zukerman’s performance as the solo violinist in Haydn’s Concerto No. 1 in C major for Violin and Orchestra was musically rich and inviting.  With violin in hand, he seemed more in touch with the orchestra and audience.   The high point of the evening was the orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Overture to Romeo and Juliet.  A well-known work, the orchestra seemed to be having as much fun playing the piece as the audience was having listening to it.