October 15th, 2012  The Aptos Times

Classical Reflection                                                       

‘Viennese Dreams’ – Exciting Start to Symphony Season

By Josef Sekon, DMA

“Sept 29th and 30th were the first two repeat concerts that began the search for the Symphony’s new Music Director.  I’ve been involved with the Symphony since the early 1980’s and cannot recall a more exciting season.  Dr. Robert Tomaro was the first of five Conductors opting for the vacant Music Director position.”   

“The Nicolai (Merry Wives of Windsor) Overture (was) light, airy and very well intended and directed.”

“The balance between Dr. Tomaro and the soloist (Neil Rutman, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 in Eb) was very well conceived.”

“Brahms’ first symphony is a monumental work in many respects. Dr. Tomaro performed without score and brought wonderful balance between the orchestral sections…with good understanding and dynamic sensibility.   All in all, a very impressive performance!”

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Peninsula Reviews, Sept. 30th 2012 – Lyn Ronson

Reviewing the Santa Cruz County Symphony concert of September 30th

“Tomaro pulled everything together with great skill and brought the (Brahms first) symphony to a triumphant conclusion.” 

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Santa Cruz Sentinel – October 3rd, 2012 - Phyllis Rosenblum

“Symphony’s audition season opens on a promising note”

“Tomaro conducted with large, sweeping gestures, at times eschewing the baton entirely to direct choral-style with only his gracefully flowing arms and hands (in) an emotionally powerful performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. 

Tomaro’s fluid motions visually enhanced the audience experience while shaping the musical lines artistically for the orchestra. Clean phrases and endings heightened the work’s drama.

For the Mozart (Piano Concerto no. 22 in Eb), Tomaro reined in his large gestures to match the Classical Era’s exactitude.  The filigree-laden phrases unfurled gracefully.”

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"Robert Tomaro is committed to creating a synthesis of musical styles (in order to) bring the new generation into the symphony music halls... Promising... top level… Sounded excellent.” 

          David W. Chen  - New York Times

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"A remarkably fresh performance.  Robert Tomaro... a conductor to take very seriously, delivered a solid climax.  It was a memorable evening."

          Peter Spencer, Star Ledger, Newark, New Jersey

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"It was a truly spiritual interpretation offered by Tomaro.  The orchestra seemed to rise with him throughout the performance.  It was a splendid introduction to the series.  Like the Wagner that opened the program, he is stately and refined.  Like the Brahms, he is spiritual.  Most importantly, he is intensely personal in his relationship with the players.  We have a lot more to enjoy under his direction”.

            Ron Nief.  Beloit Daily News

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"Mr. Tomaro is a major conducting talent with an instinctive feel for the musicians in the orchestra."  

           Washington Square News, New York City.

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"Under Tomaro's leadership, the orchestra has undertaken new musical challenges.  Tomaro's enthusiasm and ability to get the most out of the orchestra have spread to audiences, as well.  Attracted by works such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Scheherazade, and Mahler's Symphonies No. 2 and 5, attendance at last season's concerts has doubled.  Challenged by demanding repertoire, the Beloit Janesville Symphony has grown into a first rate orchestra."

          Allegro Magazine, the magazine of the Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras.  Fall, 2001

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"The American conductor Robert Tomaro commanded the symphony in what proved to be a virtuosic performance, seemingly unending in its imagination and with a firm hand, with which he gave life to the two works in first audition as well as the Symphony No. 3 of Copland.  As a conductor, Robert Tomaro succeeded in a creating a unique orchestral texture and was able to project a new spirit of thought and concept, generating an ideal interpretation."

           Eutherpe, Telegraf, Bucharest, Rumania

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"Robert Tomaro...virtuoso... brings a wide variety of instrumental colors...in a nice variety of dynamics... reflections of different cultures of the world molded in a singular statement.  The concert was a significant success!"

            Slobna Dalmacija, Split, Yugoslavia

"Let me mention Robert Tomaro.  The Hungarian audience had a splendid time listening to the American conductor."

            Hungarian Academy of Arts and Sciences:  Institute for Musicology,              

           Budapest, Hungary

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"Conductor Robert Tomaro is being noticed by the classical music establishment who wish to revitalize the concert hall...Innovative and exciting programs... those who were there are still talking about it."

          Hudson Current, Hoboken, New Jersey

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