Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

“No one would dispute that Järvi has elevated this orchestra to a new level. His inspiring reading of Mahler’s Fifth will be remembered as one of the great performances by the Cincinnati Symphony during his tenure…“Besides Mahler, the program included Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür’s new fanfare, ‘Fireflower,’ in Järvi’s honor, and the American premiere of Tüür’s Piano Concerto with pianist Awadagin Pratt, artist-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.” (Cincinnati.com, May 2011)

“Never, in fact, have I heard such an emotionally charged performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.  The CSO music director – soon to be music director laureate – poured every fiber of his being into Mahler’s complex score and the musicians played their hearts out for him.”(Music in Cincinnati, May 2011)
“The musicians played with razor-sharp precision, but the performance was equally riveting for its delicate moments, such as the charming folk themes that shimmered at the end of the first movement. The scherzo was light and quick, with virtuosic runs that seemed to ricochet through the orchestra like bolts of lightning.” (Cincinnati Enquirer, February 2010)