Salonen Came, Saw, Conquered
Before we all wax euphoric over the new S.F. Symphony maestro—which the sold-out house did the other night—let’s pause and look at the bigger picture. Esa-Pekka Salonen, who becomes the music director in fall, 2020, got a standing ovation before he had led a single note guesting Jan. 18. He’s dashing and elegant, all right, 60 but looking like 39, and he led a marvelous set of tone poems before an enraptured audience. But no real judgment on a maestro…