By Nancy Plum

Musical ensembles often observe the significant birthdays of composers of the past or anniversaries of their leaders. Princeton Symphony Orchestra took this idea one step further by celebrating the 60th birthday of Music Director Rossen Milanov earlier in January with presentations of two monumental orchestral works. The concert on the night of Saturday, January 11 at Richardson Auditorium (the program was repeated the following afternoon) brought together Orchestra musicians, conductor Milanov, one of his long-term collaborators, and two of his favorite pieces in the ensemble’s annual Edward T. Cone commemorative events.

Joining Princeton Symphony in Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major was guest soloist Leila Josefowicz, who has played with the Orchestra numerous times in past seasons. A violinist with a solid international reputation, Josefowicz clearly demonstrated a strong connection to both Milanov and the players while showing her own brand of performance fire.

Stravinsky began each movement of this concerto with the same chord, which he called a “passport” to the music. Hesitant to compose a violin concerto because of unfamiliarity with the instrument, Stravinsky turned away from the 19th-century concept of soloist versus orchestra to create a piece with roots in Johann Sebastian Bach, in which the soloist is “first among equals.” Stravinsky scored the solo violin in chamber groupings which allowed the melodic lines to more effectively stand out. As soloist, Josefowicz played with both passion and clarity against Stravinsky’s trademark rhythmic accompaniment. She leaned into sections of players to make her point clear and shore up her collaborative partnership with the ensemble, continually retaining a solid line of communication with Milanov.

The fourth movement “Capriccio” in particular displayed the most virtuosic writing for the solo violin, with Josefowicz’s quick-moving lines well defined amidst swirling winds. Several Princeton Symphony principals played elegant duets with Josefowicz in this movement, including flutist Sooyun Kim, bassoonist Brad Balliett, hornist Steven Harmon, and concertmaster Basia Danilow. As Josefowicz drew duet partners into her web of virtuosity, Milanov and the Orchestra effectively maintained the accompanying syncopation, bringing Stravinsky’s neoclassical Concerto to a dynamic close.

Milanov chose another personal favorite for the second half of the birthday celebration. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony in B Minor was the composer’s interpretation of Lord Byron’s 1817 “metaphysical drama” of the Faustian noble Manfred and the death of his beloved Astarte. Replete with Swiss Alpine atmosphere and supernatural beings, Byron’s Gothic story came musically to life through Tchaikovsky’s descriptive orchestration and instrumental colors. The Orchestra began the symphony with bass clarinetist Spencer Reese leading the lower winds through an opening movement of despair and grief. Strong brass playing, effective punctuation from percussion and a sense of pathos from the strings successfully conveyed Manfred’s anguish. Throughout the entire work, Reese’s bass clarinet lines added a dark suspenseful character to the orchestral palette.

A playful second movement “Vivace” introduced a supernatural fairy appearing to Manfred in a waterfall, with Milanov building tension well as the fairy flitted here and there. A trio of flutes was very present in the orchestration, and a rich melody from the first violin section was gracefully accompanied by harpists André Tarantiles and Margery Fitts. Clarinetist Pascal Archer, oboist Lillian Copeland, and English horn player Michelle Farah added a pastoral atmosphere to the third movement. Milanov especially drove the lower strings in the “con fuoco” infernal chaos of the closing movement, as Reese, together with clarinetists Archer and Katia Waxman, closed Tchaikovsky’s programmatic symphony in ethereal serenity.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Edward T. Cone performances commemorate one of Princeton’s great partnerships between music and philanthropy. This year, the evening added the festive element of celebrating Milanov’s birthday, which fortunately for all those at Richardson Auditorium, he chose to share with Princeton.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra will present its next Classical Series concert on Saturday, February 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium. Conducted by Gérard Korsten, this performance will feature music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with pianist Orli Shaman. Ticket information can be obtained by visiting princetonsymphony.org.