“This concert's crucial moment came before the music started. Joshua Gersen, 32, the Philharmonic's assistant conductor, was drafted on a few hours' notice to take over for an ill Semyon Bychkov in a Tchaikovsky program. Impassioned and incisive, the performance earned a standing ovation and prolonged applause from his colleagues in the orchestra.”
“For its current venture into film music, the Philharmonic also presented Disney's "Fantasia: Live in Concert,"an excellent assistant conductor at the Philharmonic, leading the works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and other composers that inspired that film's animations.”
“Gersen has often led opening pieces on the (New World Symphony's) orchestra's major series and has conducted the ensemble's family programs and mini-concerts. Friday night at New World Center he proved more than ready for this high profile opportunity.”
“The fourth of the (Colorado Music) festival's six weeks witnessed more artistic highs, culminating in Thursday's radiant rendition of Aaron Copland's complex and iconic Third Symphony under guest conductor Joshua Gersen.”
“The New York Philharmonic's assistant conductor Joshua Gersen made his subscription concert debut with the orchestra Thursday night in classic fashion, substituting at the last minute for an ailing maestro and scoring a notable success with Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony.”
“The New York Youth Symphony earned my special respect on Sunday afternoon for its cogent, shapely performance of Copland's Third Symphony at Carnegie Hall, conducted by the ensemble's dynamic music director, Joshua Gersen, in a program that concluded this essential orchestra's 51st season. Mr. Gersen, over all, drew incisive, cohesive and colorful playing from the dedicated musicians, who range in age from 12 to 22.”
“One wondered at the time what this conductor and orchestra might achieve under more normal circumstances, with a date certain and time to prepare. Thursday and Friday nights, audiences got their answer, as Gersen skillfully led a post-President's Day program of American favorites.”
