South Florida Classical Review

The headliner on the New World Symphony‘s concerts this weekend will be the great pianist Yefim Bronfman, who combines a thunderous technique with a poet’s sensibility.

But one of the two concerts will offer something else that’s special—a performance of Samuel Barber’s Symphony No. 1, a work whose neglect is not only unjust but baffling. This compact, one-movement symphony is immediately accessible and would appeal to anyone who appreciates the lyric and dramatic qualities of Barber’s Violin Concerto or Adagio for Strings.

At both concerts, Bronfman will play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3. At Friday’s concert at New World Center in Miami Beach, the Beethoven will be paired with the Barber symphony. For Saturday’s concert, which will take place at the Arsht Center in Miami, the orchestra will replace the Barber with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, an undeniably great work but one that has become perhaps the most overplayed symphony in South Florida.

Leading the Beethoven and Shostakovich will be Robert Spano, music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Conducting the Barber will be Dean Whiteside, the New World’s conducting fellow.

The New World Symphony will perform 7:30 p.m. Friday at New World Center in Miami Beach and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arsht Center in Miami. nws.edu; 305-673-3331

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