Thursday, October 29, 2009Darkness and Lightby William Guy BarastThis evening's concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra featured a program tailor-made for a Halloween weekend: Samuel Barber's warm, romantic violin concerto was bookended by two darker, more introspective works; Latvian composer Peteris Vasks' Musica Dolorosa for string orchestra and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique." The DSO was led by guest conductor Andrey Boreyko. Composed in 1983, Musica Dolorosa employs an expanded harmonic palette, created in part through the use of a device known as "controlled indeterminacy:" improvisatory sequences that are manipulated at the conductors' discretion. The DSO strings (performing in a modified seating arrangement that added clarity to Vasks' complex, sometimes dense textures) gave a brilliant, impassioned performance of this haunting work. The DSO's celebration of the centenary of Samuel Barber's birth continued with a first-rate performance of his violin concerto. Soloist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg delivered an energetic, impassioned interpretation of this much-loved work. Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg's singing tone embraced the entire dynamic spectrum from a bare whisper to a full-throated operatic voice. In the first movement she played with an edgy, forward-moving energy; her reading of the second movement was tender and lyrical, and the closing moto perpetuo was delivered at a breathtaking clip. Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 also known as "Pathetique" filled out the evening. This work, Tchaikovsky's last, was given a rock-solid performance by the DSO in a masterful interpretation by a conductor who has this music in his blood. The low brass and winds sounded particularly fine tonight and the warm, honeyed tone of the DSO strings provided a perfect compliment. You have two more chances to catch this terrific program: Friday night at 8:00 and Saturday night at 8:30. Don’t miss out. Labels: Reviews, William Guy Barast |
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