Review: San Francisco Symphony's Opening Night Gala

The San Francisco Symphony's Opening Night Gala, led by Michael Tilson Thomas, was the usual mix 'n' match. There was Bonnie Raitt (the conductor's friend) singing vintage American songs, including one ('Hey There') that her father John Raitt introduced in 'The Pajama Game' on Broadway in 1954. There was pianist Yuja Wang (the conductor's protégé) performing Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue,' treating portions of it like a real slow drag -- sexy, and straight from ragtime. Some of it worked.

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