Winner, 2003 Eduardo Mata
International Conducting Competition
Music Director, Riverside Philharmonic
Artistic Director, Village Concerts
Conductor • Composer • Violinist
"The ensemble of 30-plus players closed the evening with an eye-opening reading of Mendelssohn's familiar "Symphony No. 4 (Italian)." Golka and the players opened the first movement with tremendous vigor, maintaining a crackling energy throughout. Soaring musical statements, delicately layered, cohesive ensemble playing and constant awareness of the piece's structure created a thrilling performance of the entire piece.... Intimacy and well-balanced ensemble interplay were the elements that conductor Tomasz Golka and the players brought to [Wagner's 'Siegfried Idyll']. Hearing them play felt like being part of a private conversation, or perhaps reading a tender letter."