By Lyn Bronson
Cellist Asier Polo
The Monterey Symphony has been enjoying a Spanish connection this season. It is not that we have been hearing so many pieces from the Spanish repertoire, but because four out of seven concerts during the current season feature Spanish soloists. So far we have heard guitarist Angel Romero, pianist Pedro Carbone and cellist Carlos Prietro. Last night at Sherwood Hall we heard yet another Spanish soloist in the return engagement by cellist Asier Polo, who made a strong impression as soloist with the Monterey Symphony in 2005.
Originally last night’s concert was supposed to feature the Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102, with violinist Lorenz Nasturica, concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonic joining cellist Asier Polo. Alas, it was not to be, for late in the game, Nasturica wasn’t able to be with us. Thus it was that last night we had a program substitution and an opportunity to hear Polo joining Maestro Max Bragado-Darmen and the Monterey Symphony in an intense performance of Antonin Dvořák’s great Cello Concerto in B minor.
