Detroit Free Press: 'DSO performance under Wilkins makes you want to dance'

[Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins]

Detroit FreePress

Mark Stryker
Classical Music Critic
“At first glance, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's program of music by Bela Bartok, Alexander Glazunov, Erwin Schulhoff and Beethoven doesn't appear to promote any particular theme.

“But the cumulative effect of Friday morning's concert, led by the DSO's beloved former resident conductor Thomas Wilkins, was to make a case for the deep connections between classical music and vernacular dance music -- its rhythms, forms and momentum. There was another subtext too: The distance between so-called high culture and populist art shrinks quickly when you begin to examine fundamentals.”

“Wilkins led a dynamic performance, judiciously brisk but never out of control. Balances were expertly judged, and the ensemble was in top form, richly colored and unified by common purpose. Wilkins -- who is thriving as music director of the Omaha Symphony, principal guest conductor of the Hollywood Bowl and family concert conductor for the Boston Symphony -- has continued to deepen as a musician. It's always a pleasure to welcome him back.

“Saxophonist Branford Marsalis joined Wilkins and the DSO for Glazunov's Saxophone Concerto (1934) and Schulhoff's "Hot-Sonate" (1930). Employing a vibrant, bell-like tone on alto, brighter and with a more expressively varied vibrato than you hear from many classical saxophonists, Marsalis found the yearning nostalgia at the core of the Glazunov concerto.”

Branford Marsalis & Thomas Wilkins Perform 'Beethoven 7' with Detroit Symphony Orchestra Dec. 2-4

[Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins]

On May 22, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “Thomas Wilkins Conducts Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Detroit Symphony Orchestra Dec. 2-4.” The performances we have been eagerly anticipating begin tomorrow:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

“DSO Welcomes Saxophone Sensation Branford Marsalis

Detroit, (November 22, 2011) –World-renowned saxophone sensation Branford Marsalis will join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) this weekend during its performance of 'Beethoven 7,' with Thomas Wilkins conducting. The program includes Bartόk’s Rumanian Folk Dances, Glazunov’s Concerto for Saxophone and String Orchestra in E-flat, Schulhoff’s Hot-Sonate for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92. The performances will take place on Friday, Dec. 2 at 10:45 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

“National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award‐winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time. Leader of one of the finest jazz quartets today, and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with such acclaimed orchestras as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, North Carolina Symphony and the Boston Pops. His growing repertoire includes compositions by Copland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem and Vaughn Williams. After making his first appearance with the New York Philharmonic in the summer of 2010, Marsalis was again invited to join them as a soloist in their 2010‐2011 concert series where he unequivocally demonstrated his versatility and prowess, bringing what The New York Times called 'a gracious poise and supple tone…and an insouciant swagger' to the repertoire. Whether on the stage, in the recording studio, in the classroom or in the community, Branford Marsalis embodies a commitment to musical excellence and a determination to keep music at the forefront.

“In addition to his role as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a post he’s held since 2005, Thomas Wilkins is Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony.”