The SF Symphony waltzed us into the new '09-'10 music season on Wednesday night, with a sparkling opening night gala. The evening started with complimentary champagne in the hallways of Davies Symphony Hall, because nothing lubricates appreciation for music better than bubbly. Still, two women left the hall after the national anthem, because there is only so much orchestral music than one can put up with, even inebriated. The bemused look on Michael Tilson Thomas' face as they left was priceless.

The mood was light, and so was the first half: three waltzes in chronological order. Liszt's Mephisto Waltz was free, loose, joyous. Devilish it was not. If Mephistopheles was called upon, we had never heard such light footed goat hooves. Only a melancholy turn by cellist Peter Wyrick brought depth and soberness to the joyous romp. We're not sure the composer's intention were fully respected, but who can object to raising the curtain with some levity?