Critiques

Ripples went out from Lacombe’s baton and through the galvanized orchestra, with dynamic changes audible and experienced live that even the greatest recordings cannot duplicate…

...This gala evening, and the brilliant debut of Maestro Lacombe at the helm, forecast a terrific energy for New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. This season will be a triumph.

Yet at every chance, Lacombe shined as the NJSO’s new leader. He projected authority without ego, getting the best out of the musicians whose brilliant, unified sound and charged performances created a constant sense of anticipation, even in familiar repertory. The music sounded fresh and sharp, with detailed layers of sound clearly and cleanly coming into focus…

The orchestra had a chance to show its mettle in Stravinsky’s “Firebird” suite, which concluded the program. The musicians played vividly for their new maestro, who led a vibrant and detailed performance.

The “Firebird” supplied the best chance for observing the new conductor in action with his orchestra, and both made positive impressions. Lacombe brought out the mystery, primitivism and beauty of the music. The orchestra sounded assured too, with some fine solo playing, not least in the Princesses’ Khorovod, which was nicely shaped. And Lacombe took pains to prepare the emergence of the incomparable horn theme at the end so that it made an impact. A new and dynamic chapter in the life of the New Jersey Symphony appears to be underway.