Soft News Explication

"Against all odds, James Levine is back."

Anthony Tommasini's "With Wheelchair and Lively Baton, Levine Commands Carnegie Hall" is a soft news article about the return of conducting legend James Levine to the stage of Carnegie Hall, where he conducted the Metropolitan Orchestra. This performance was his first performance anywhere in more than two years. "The audience, which packed the house, stood almost in sync to give him a hearty welcoming ovation." Due to years of spinal and shoulder problems, and multiple operations, "it seemed very possible that Mr. Levine might never return to performing." He came out on stage in a mechanical wheel chair. After the first piece was done, he tried to turn the wheelchair around to the audience, but had some difficulties. He did manage to turn it fully around though. "Still, this little hitch suggested how unusual it is for a conductor to have to work out such mechanical matters." The rest of the night went smoothly. Mr. Levine seemed to be alright waving his arms and giving cues to the musicians, which shows how far he has come in his healing process. All in all, "Mr. Levine's return was a triumph."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/arts/music/james-levine-returns-to-the-podium-at-carnegie-hall.html?ref=arts&_r=0