Leonard Bernstein had not learned a new piano work in five years, but last week was special; he was making his first appearance with the New York Philharmonic since his appointment as its new permanent conductor and musical director. Lennie spent the weekend whipping Dmitry Shostakovich's new Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra into final shape for its U.S. première.
Shostakovich wrote his concerto for his 19-year-old son Maxim, who is a pianist but reportedly not an outstanding one. Pop's 15-minute exercise jittered and jumped in its two fast movements, meandered sweetly and slushily in its slow...
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