Westchester Philharmonic season ends with Brahms, Father's Day BBQ

Johannes Brahms was one of the world's greatest composers, but he got his start as a pub pianist. Dads generally like beer and grilled food.

So, a sudsy Father's Day barbecue seemed like the right way for the Westchester Philharmonic to wrap up its 33rd season following a performance of Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring the Israeli pianist Alon Goldstein under the direction of guest conductor Kazem Abdullah.

The date was a quirk in the calendar  — the Sunday in June when the philharmonic had access to the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase. But the selection of Goldstein and Abdullah was no accident, said the orchestra's executive director, Joshua Worby.

Abdullah, he said, has wowed crowds as a guest conductor but has not gotten the stateside recognition he deserves in a field with few African-American musicians and conductors.

"We've made a conscious effort to diversify our organization, who we put on our stage," Worby said. "It's an easy thing to talk about but it doesn't always happen."

Abdullah, an Indiana native, is a former assistant conductor with the Metropolitan Opera who for the past three years has been the general music director of Aachen, Germany. He teamed with Goldstein in the second half of the concert. He had center stage to himself in the first half, leading the orchestra through Manuel de Falla's Ritual Fire Dance and Mozart's Symphony No. 41, or the "Jupiter."

Worby said Abdullah made a strong impression.

"Veteran concert-goers poked me like this (in the shoulder) and said 'He's amazing. He's a keeper. Get him back," Worby said. "It's his bearing, starting with his entrance and continuing through the performance. He has a commanding presence."

Ian Gordon, a Mozart fan from Norwalk brought his dad to the concert to celebrate Father's Day. He said he was moved by what he saw and heard.

"I recognized the passion of the guest conductor," he said. "Because of this man's energy, it elevated the music to the correct, joyous, rhythmic tempo that Mozart should be played at."

Abdullah and Goldstein said afterwards that they are always surprised when they hear such praise.

"I always try to bring out the content of the music, whatever it may be," Abdullah said. "Sometimes you bring the energy; sometimes you listen and react."

He said conducting Sunday was just one more chance to showcase his talent and passion for music.

"Every musical opportunity is helfpul," he said. Whether its in Pittsburgh or in Westchester or with a youth orchestra."

He and Goldstein had never collaborated before and met for the first time Friday morning — a brief period of rehearsals that Goldstein termed "insane" but that both worked through.

Worby said at intermission it was like putting two top chefs in a kitchen and asking for a great meal. His assessment afterwards? "A four-star meal, or is five stars the highest?" he said.

Twitter: @jonbandler