Charismatic conductor of the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna’s Sascha Goetzel makes for a striking comparison with Gustavo Dudamel, the tempestuous Venezuelan because both conductors galvanize their musicians by riding the same wave of generosity, enthusiasm and frenetic ardour.
Excitement is also conveyed by the image sequence in Nikolai Rimsky- Korsakov's "Scheherazade", that Sascha Goetzel’s theatrically elegant conductor stick doesn’t treat like a hot thriller ready to explode, but rather ensures melodic flexibility and structured contours. Nothing sounds blunt or generalized even during the violent crash of the shipwreck.
The program was selected for panache, dynamism, dance, and was performed also in that spirit, it downright ignited like a firework. A wonderful advertisement for more unusual choices. The fact that, in music, ecstasy requires the greatest discipline was apparent in every aspect of this orchestra, and it also showed a friendly but decided leading conductor.
