Coda

Tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday, Mark Russell Smith will conduct his last concerts as music director of the Richmond Symphony. An era will end, but thanks in large part to Smith's tenure the orchestra anticipates its future with confidence. Today's Weekend section includes an interview in which Smith reflects on his 10 years here.

Smith led the ensemble during testing times. The renovation of the Carpenter Center compelled the symphony to live the life of a musical vagabond. Its performances in churches pleased veteran fans and drew new ones. Many enjoyed the intimacy of the surroundings. Most, however, look forward to the reopening of the Carpenter Center and the return to an official concert hall.

Smith's final concert will feature Mahler's 9th Symphony. The choice is appropriate on many levels. Smith excels in Mahler. The 9th has the quality of an elegy. The Richmond Symphony played Mahler's 4th during its critically acclaimed debut at the Kennedy Center last year.

Memories of Beethoven's 9th performed after 9/11 remain not only vivid but inspiriting. We long will associate Smith with Bruckner. Merely to type the names of the conductor and the composer returns the music to our ears. Other concert-goers can cite treasures, too. On a recent Sunday, a fellow parishioner praised this season's interpretation of Bach's "St. Matthew Passion."

Smith's manner engaged audiences professionally and personally. He is a lively conversationalist; we enjoyed chats with him. Central Virginia's music-lovers wish him well -- and eagerly await the Richmond Symphony's continued growth.