Thursday, October 29, 2009
Darkness and Light
by 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
posted by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at
11:26 PM
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Friday, October 23, 2009
Something for everyone
by William Guy BarastThis morning's concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra proved to be the perfect tonic for a dreary, rain-soaked Friday.
The program was guaranteed to please, offering the perfect blend of the familiar and the less-well-known. On the menu: Barber's Essay No. 1 for Orchestra, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Dvorak's bucolic Symphony No. 8. DSO Conducting Assistant Charles Greenwell was on the podium.
Barber's Essay No. 1 for Orchestra set the tone for the first half of the program. Dramatic yet understated, this compact, ruminative work has a uniquely taut, brooding, "American" feel. The DSO knows Barber's Three Essays well, having recorded them under Neeme Järvi for Chandos in the mid-1990's. That familiarity was apparent today, with Maestro Greenwell leading the DSO in a performance that captured the dramatic spirit of the work while allowing Barber's ravishingly beautiful orchestration to shine.
Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 was given an heroic performance by Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein, whose big, bold tone and penchant for breakneck tempi made for an exhilarating experience. This finger-busting work is one of the titans of the piano concerto repertoire, typically clocking in at around 45 minutes. Mr. Gerstein's performance must surely have come in a bit under that mark but left absolutely nothing wanting along the way. Soloist, conductor and orchestra worked as one, bringing the audience to their feet after the final crashing chords (which (deliberately?) mirror the syllables of the composer’s last name: Rach-man-in-off!).
Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 filled the second half of the program with the lilting sounds of the Bohemian countryside. Maestro Greenwell led the DSO in a performance that was both spacious and sensitive. Especially enjoyable were the interplay between the dark-hued clarinets and the flute in the second movement and the slightly slower, more pensive return of the lovely waltz theme in the third movement. The fourth movement brought a rousing finish with the brass having loads of fun.
Since the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, Maestro Greenwell asked if they'd like an encore. Their sounds of approval brought forth a polished performance of Dvorak's Slavonic Dance Op. 46, No. 6. It may have been raining outside, but after this encore there was plenty of Bohemian sunshine inside Orchestra Hall!
Speaking of our dear Orchestra Hall, she turned 90 yesterday. Kirill Gerstein turned 30 today, and it was he who gave us a gift. What a day. Two more performances follow this weekend, Saturday evening at 8:30 and Sunday at 3:00. Don't miss out!
Labels: Reviews, William Guy Barast
posted by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at
5:40 PM
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Friday, October 16, 2009
Over the Top!
by William Guy BarastTonight's concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Principal Guest Conductor Peter Oundjian was an absolute tour-de-force and a treat for fans of big, romantic-era orchestral music.
The program featured Beethoven's Fidelio Overture, Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde and Gustav Mahler's massive Symphony No. 7.
The Fidelio overture got the evening off to a rousing start. Maestro Oundjian led a performance that was taut and muscular, yet sensitive and refined.
Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan required a dramatic shift of musical gears. The Prelude opens at the volume of a whisper, and Maestro Oundjian waited patiently to begin conducting until the audience was suitably quiet, which I fully appreciated. His reading was sensitive and well-paced; allowing Wagner's brilliant orchestration and delicate textures to breathe and fill the Hall.
However, the Mahler Seventh was, as they say, worth the price of admission. Coming in at a solid 75 minutes, this gargantuan work is rarely performed. Perhaps the fact that it is scored for a huge orchestra including additional brass and winds, as well as plentiful percussion, mandolin, guitar and cowbells has something to do with this. The sounds of nature, military fanfares and marches all abound in this extraordinary work, and the closing Rondo-Finale is an absolute roof-raiser. While Oundjian's tempi were somewhat on the expansive side, this was much-appreciated as it provided the opportunity for me to fully appreciate the multifarious colors and textures that Mahler's imaginative scoring draws from the orchestra. Individual and section solos abound throughout this work; but for me the true stars of the evening were undoubtedly the French horns, led by Karl Pituch.
If you missed tonight's performance, you have one more opportunity to hear this program, Sunday afternoon at 3:00. Highly recommended!
Labels: Reviews, William Guy Barast
posted by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at
11:29 PM
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Friday, October 2, 2009
DSO to Tour Florida in February 2010
Six-day tour to bring DSO to Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, Naples, Longwood, Sarasota and MiamiThe DSO, Music Director Leonard Slatkin and acclaimed cellist Sol Gabetta will embark upon a tour in southern Florida from Tues., Feb. 9 to Sun., Feb. 14, 2010.
Tour venues will include:
- Indian River Symphonic Association at Vero Beach Community Church on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
- Kravis Center for the Performing Arts of West Palm Beach on Feb. 10 at 8:00 p.m.
- Philharmonic Center of Naples on Feb. 11 at 8:00 p.m.
- Northland, A Church Distributed of Longwood on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
- Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall of Sarasota on Feb. 13 at 8:00 p.m.
- Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami on Feb. 14 at 4:00 p.m.
Performances will include Brahms' Symphony No. 2, Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, Berlioz's Le Corsaire, Op. 21 as well as Barber's Cello Concerto in honor of the composer's 100th birthday, and Peter Mennin's Concertato for Orchestra, "Moby Dick."
"Florida has always been a welcoming state on any major orchestra's touring agenda," says Slatkin. "I am pleased to have my very first tour with the Detroit Symphony take place in this very sophisticated musical community."
The orchestra previously toured Florida in 2001 with guest artist and violinist Joshua Bell under the direction of then music director Neeme Jarvi.
Born to Russian-French parents in Cordoba, Argentina in 1981, the charismatic cellist Sol Gabetta is forging an impressive career; she has a recording contract with SonyBMG, directs her own festival, and has invitations from major orchestras all over the world. Winner of the 2007 Echo Klassik Award and a 2007 Grammy Award nominee, Sol Gabetta has worked this season with orchestras such as the Munich Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra and has toured with the Basel Chamber Orchestra. Recitals have led her to many major venues and festivals in Europe and Asia, including the Vienna Musikverein, the Luxembourg Philharmonie and the Louvre in Paris.
The DSO Florida Tour is made possible in part by a grant from the Marjorie S. Fisher Fund and sponsorship by the Forbes Company. In addition to our appreciation of a variety of generous individual gifts, we also wish to gratefully acknowledge the following donors for leadership contributions: Cecilia Benner, Herman & Sharon Frankel, Dr. Deanna & Mr. David B. Holtzman, David & Valerie McCammon.
The DSO is offering a Florida Patron Tour for those who wish to join the orchestra on this tour. Information on purchasing tickets to see the DSO on its Florida tour can be obtained by visiting www.detroitsymphony.com/fl
Labels: Noteworthy
posted by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at
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