Conducting Reviews
“Asher Raboy led the ensemble with uncommon sensitivity”
San Francisco Examiner
Sunday September 27, 1997
Review of Diablo Ballet
By Allan Ulrich
“It is a rare occasion when a conductor can bring such a clear vision to a work that the music is seen in an entirely new light, but such was Raboy’s performance of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”
The Napa Register
Wednesday October 4, 1989
Review of the Napa Valley Symphony
By Paul Wagner
“Much of the success of the evening was due to … the outstanding conducting of Asher Raboy” “Raboy took full advantage of the pauses built into the score, and reminded us that in the end great tragedy is silence. Raboy revealed the ultimate tragedy of this great symphony by letting it speak for itself. The full house was so moved that a breathless silence followed the final pianissimo. And then came the full applause.”
The Times Union (Albany, NY)
Review of the Albany Symphony
By Ron Emery
“On this non-subscription performance of the Napa Valley Symphony’s 66th season, the 51-piece orchestra, led by Music Director Asher Raboy, was joined by … graduates of the San Francisco Opera Merola program and/or Adler fellows, in a program of highlights from Operettas by Victor Herbert, Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Friml. Raboy and orchestra provided finely nuanced support throughout the evening.”
San Francisco Classical Voice
January 25, 2000
Review of the Napa Valley Symphony
By Baker Peebles
“”[the] staging supported by Asher Raboy’s sensitive conducting of the Diablo Ballet Orchestra, was a reminder that there are many ways to dance Balanchine.”
San Francisco Chronicle
Monday January 18, 1999
Review of Diablo Ballet
By Octavio Roca
Chronicle Dance Critic
“…the Asher Raboy-led orchestra served up scintillating Rossini and, I dare say, the Napa Valley premiere of a long-forgotten symphony by a German romantic whose works were nearly extinguished by war and racism.” “[Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg gave] a totally compelling performance… The orchestral effort proved first rate as well, with Raboy tempering accompaniment in the lyrical passages to match the soloist’s efforts.” ”The spunky opening of Rossini’s “Overture to La Gazza Ladra” – with snare drums rattling spectacularly and antiphonally – signaled the orchestra was in fine fettle… It was brilliantly played, with vibrant rhythms and finely articulated phrasing. An infectious reading by all hands, it was a most invigorating opener.” “[As to Reznicek’s Symphony in d], under Raboy’s crisp direction, the orchestra played it large and loud. The composer would have been proud.”
Napa Valley Register
January 10, 2005
Review of the Napa Valley Symphony
By L. Pierce Carson
“The richness of “Apollo” is underscored by the Stravinsky music, performed with discipline and passion by the Diablo Ballet Orchestra under Asher Raboy’s direction. Earlier the orchestra also excelled in the Haydn violin concerto… All in all, the orchestra has never sounded better.”
The Times (Contra Costa)
May 22, 2000
Review if the Diablo Ballet by
Marilyn Tucker
Pianist [Leon} Bates and maestro Raboy immediately established a partnership, right from the Charleston motif in the first movement [of Gershwin’s “Concerto in F”], which brought a decidedly fresh and uplifting approach to this concertante masterpiece.
Napa Valley Register
April 8, 2002
Review of Leon Bates with the Napa Valley Symphony by
L. Pierce Carson
Composing Reviews
“A Mystic Valley” is a series of nine snapshots of the Napa Valley, according to the composer. For this listener, Raboy had indeed captured the mood and movement of the nation’s best known plot of wine country in both playful and romantic fashion. It’s a charming work, one of which the maestro can justly be proud.”
Napa Valley Register
October 21, 2002
By L. Pierce Carson
“The concert was also memorable because it marked the premier of Raboy’s tone poem, “King Lear.” … The searing passage [of the storm] was unmistakable, sounding like all the devils of hell were on the loose, driving Lear mad.
Napa Valley Register
November 18, 1996
Review of the Napa Valley Symphony by
Marilyn LaRocque
“More successfully sensuous was Raboy’s Gymnopedies, with it’s revolving center of Eros and doom.
The Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)
Review of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra by
Kitty Montgomery
