Reviews

John Dodson

Conductor

". . . New York Public Library for the Performing Arts honored [Vincent Persichetti's] memory on Friday night with a concert of works from all stages of his career, in conjunction with an exhibition of manuscripts and memorabilia entitled Persichetti: Wit, Spirit and Intellect. . . . The performances at this tribute were compelling. . . John Dodson led 10 wind players in a sharp rendition of the Serenade."

"For this extremely difficult composition [Shostakovich Sixth Symphony] Dodson prepared our Philharmonic with incredible care. This intensive preparation resulted in an evocative and truly expressive performance. The opening's slow rhythmic theme and its ensuing drama, based on late romantic models, cameinto perfect display; the irony of thenext two brisk movements and their many raw colors unfolded according to the composer's intentions. The truly great popular success of John Dodson with this little known Shostakovich work proves that our audiences appreciate not only works performed almost daily but also those which are rather unique in Hungary."

"To pull off the concert after only five days' rehearsal, Dodson had to rely upon many conductor's skills. Of these, the ability to rehearse efficiently and effectively is especially valued and rare. And he did it. Dodson gathered 40 young professional musicians from around the country and, remarkably, gave to their collective sound shape, character and technical exactness in those five days. . . No doubt the high level of playing in the orchestra made Dodson's task easier. Yet with so little time to work on details, things like instrumental balance in the fifth movement of the Rameau -- a chaconne --and the ensemble in the Mozart's last movement are stuff one would expect only from the best conductors, let alone the best young conductors. Dodson is such a conductor....he will soon make his presence felt among conductors his age."

" . . . Dance Rhythms, a likable piece, began the program and afforded us the opportunity to appreciate the magnificent work that Dodson accomplished with the orchestra. The development of each section appeared to have been worked out carefully and to the last detail. Apparent here was the delicacy of the dynamics and above all the brilliant rhythms."

"American conductor John Dodson understood Franck's Symphony in D Minor well, leading it intelligently and logically. He allowed ebb and flow and built aseries of climaxes that related to each other across the entire work. This expressive conception was so convincing that it drew the listeners completely into the course of the work."

"Mozart was in capable hands indeed with ASO music director John Dodson, who conducted the works with all the life and light they should display."