News

From Faust to Triumph: A Night of Orchestral Wonders

Lawrence Toppman, WDAV -- 

Until last weekend, I had two opinions about Christopher James Lees. I formed the first from our interviews long ago; there he was funny, articulate, relaxed and insightful about music. I formed the second from watching him on the podium; there he seemed cautious, anxious to get things right without unbuttoning himself enough to help musicians maximize their potential.

Lees, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) resident conductor, changed my mind Saturday night at Knight Theater. He drew forth all the spooky drama of Antonin Dvorak's "The Noon Witch" and all the drama, humor, struggle and triumph in William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1, often called the Afro-American Symphony. I haven't heard him conduct in a while, and I had no idea the musicians would play for him with such vitality and keenness.

Read More >