The California Symphony opens its conductor search with Robert Moody fronting the orchestra in a straight-down –the-middle program: Arturo Marquez's toe-tapping Danzon No. 2, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. It's a good program for someone hoping to come out No. 1 in a conductor search, since the audience is almost certain to greet this program warmly.
But Moody has other strings to his bow; he is a highly-regarded “up and comer" whose tenure at the Winston-Salem Symphony has been hailed by critics, audience, and (most importantly in this case), the orchestra's board. Will this rising star be the next music director? Does he have the new-music chops to take over Barry Jekowsky's impressive legacy? Stay tuned.