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| Last Night's Concert: Big Band Edition | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 5 2017, 05:56 AM (76 Views) | |
| George K | Mar 5 2017, 05:56 AM Post #1 |
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Finally
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Last night, the Chicago Symphony was conducted by Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen who is in town for a two-week engagement. The evening started with a performance of Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.” Salonen took the podium, and after acknowledging the audience, he turned to the orchestra, hands at his sides, He probably gave a facial cue, and the music began with no obvious signal from him. The famous “moment of terror for any solo flute” was handled easily by the CSO’s principal flute. Interestingly, Salonen conducted without a baton for this piece. He shaped the music with open hands, at times almost looking like he were caressing a woman. The CSO strings were particularly lush and rich. Thoroughly captivating, and a wonderful introduction to the concert. Next up was John Adams’ 2015 piece Scheherezade.2. Yes “point two.” It is a violin concerto in everything but name. This was written for Leila Josefowicz, who was last night’s soloist. This piece calls for a huge orchestra. In addition to the usuals, there was a contrabassoon, four horns, two harps, celesta, and cimbalon (!). The percussion section had several bass drums, xylophones (plural) and a huge assortment of gongs and wooden clappers. I suppose I sound like an old fart when I say that I just can’t wrap my head around this music. It was angular, angry at times, and I found it difficult to maintain interest during the 4 movements which lasted 45 minutes. Josefowicz is a formidable talent, of course, and her virtuosity was on display. She attacked the music, rather than played it, getting sounds out of her violin that I thought were impossible. She stood with a broad stance, leaned into the music and at times I thought she was going to saw through her instrument. She was obviously very much in tune with the music and it’s story (a contemporary exploration of the Scheherezade motif). I listened to it a couple of times before going last night (it’s on YouTube), but is just left me cold. Years ago, I remember hearing the Nielsen clarinet concerto thinking “When is this going to end?” Sadly, I felt the same way last night. Speaking of large orchestras, after intermission, Salonen chose “Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.” I remember the first time I heard this music - I must have been about 18. I bought the LP on a whim. I put it on my turntable, and as I listened, I thought, “I really don’t like this, but it’s really good. Maybe it’ll grow on me.” Well, it certainly has. Anyway, the CSO was more than 100 strong on stage last night. The horn section was Mahlerian (10!). There were two sets of tympani, two tubas, two English horns, assorted bass drums and gongs. Salonen picked a fairly brisk pace for the opening section (again, letting the solo bassoon begin with no real cue from him, much in the way he started the Debussy. The brisk pace was particularly evident during the famous “Augurs of Spring” section. Having seen the ballet in the original Nijinsky choreography (on YouTube, of course), I found his tempo to be compelling, but perhaps un-danceable. Of course, that didn’t detract from the musicality of it. It seemed like Salonen almost understated the driving string motif, and allowed other parts of the huge orchestras come through instead. I liked that - a lot. He worked hard during this part, taking a long break between sections to catch his breath and wipe his brow. It was in the second half that the real fireworks began. The CSO woodwinds were able to handle the tricky rhythms of the first section easily, and the entire orchestra was completely together for the second part as well. The gunshot-style tympani (both sets) during the “Glorification of the Chosen One” came through with remarkable clarity, and it was disturbing, as it should have been, knowing what was to come. As I said, Salonen kept a quick tempo throughout and finally, toward the end, he slowed the orchestra for the “Ritual Action of the Ancestors.” It seemed as though everyone had to take a breath. Very effective. Finally, for the “Sacrificial Dance,” he picked up the tempo, adding to the sense of frenzy that ends the piece. I could go on and on about how powerful the orchestra was in the final 5 minutes, but you get the idea. “Wall of Sound?” Phil Spector probably got the idea from “The Rite of Spring.” After the stunning climax, Salonen received a standing ovation, which he deserved. Almost no one was seated during the four curtain calls. It was a performance that I’ll long remember. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Rainman | Mar 5 2017, 10:05 AM Post #2 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Another really great review, George! I wish that you could publish your reviews somewhere. Isn't that Tribune thing still around? You don't criticize, or if you do, you offer criticism based on a perspective. I like that a lot. |
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| George K | Aug 30 2017, 04:21 AM Post #3 |
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Finally
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This concert is being broadcast tonight on WBJC: http://www.wbjc.com/2017/wbjc-programs/wbjc-evening-concert/tuesday-082917-chicago-symphony-orchestra/ |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Aug 30 2017, 04:26 AM Post #4 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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I will try to remember to listen online. Can't imagine Rite of Spring taking time to grow on you. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| George K | Aug 30 2017, 04:28 AM Post #5 |
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Finally
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C'mon, I was 18 at the time, and I grew up in a house in which the music played on a Sunday afternoon was musicals or Opera (Rossini, Verdi, Mozart, no Wagner). It only took about a year for it to grow on me. |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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