In addition to great real estate deals, ideal location, superb climate, and terrific outdoor fun, Auburn is a gold mine of surprising cultural treasures.  My favorite is the Auburn Symphony, one of the finest community symphonies in America.

Tonight I returned home from the Symphony’s second major concert of the year, satisfied and happy, reprising the minor key surprises of Mozart’s Piano Concerto 24 in my memory.

Before snapping into the Concerto, the Symphony warmed us up with Mozart’s Overture to Idomeneo, about 10 minutes of dramatic, though eerie,  adventure.  A short break, then Maestro Michael Godwin introduced our soloist, the brilliant Russian prodigy, Konstantin Soukhovetski.  We enjoyed Soukhovetski’s piano artistry three years ago, and we were even more delighted tonight with how much he has grown in power and showmanship.  His reckless attack on the Concerto’s first movement left CJ breathless.  Or maybe it was Soukhovetski’s long, angelic blond locks that he whipped around like a young Franz Listz.  Anyway, CJ liked him very much.

The Symphony wrapped up the evening with Bruckner’s challenging (for us as well as the orchestra) Symphony No. 4 .

If you live near Auburn, or if you don’t mind driving here for an evening of rich, joyful entertainment, hie thee to the Auburn Symphony.  Perhaps you’ll see us there, Row J, left side, near the front.