On Friday, April 1 the CSO presented an intriguing concert which paired composers, Lindberg, Haydn, and Debussy. I was accompanied by an acquaintance who, while not unfamiliar with pops concerts, had not attended a regular season symphony concert.
When I first began my undergraduate music studies I was dismayed at the number of concert goers for a university level performance. Our high school concerts had always had large crowds (aren't family members wonderful?) and as I continued through my doctoral studies the audience kept getting smaller. I was determined to bring audiences back to the halls. I always try to talk up concerts and get people interested so I was delighted when this acquaintance was able to join me to use the extra ticket that I possessed. I had described the program to her and couldn't wait until after the concert to get her thoughts and reaction. Here is a brief outline of our 'pre' and 'post' conversation.
CD: The guest conductor for the concert is from Finland. I've never seen him in performance before but I have looked at his personal web site and read some of his blog entries to try and get a feel for him as a person. Since we all conduct within the framework of our personality I'll really know more after the concert. Learning about him as a conductor would really come from watching him in a rehearsal.
KP: Does the orchestra really understand what the gestures mean?
CD: Yes and no. Sometimes you have to verbalize while showing a gesture so the intent is very clear. We all learn the same basic gestures but because we are all very different individuals a similar gesture could mean something very different with another conductor. Rehearsals are where the real work is done. Sometimes conductors can be very different in rehearsal and performance. A rehearsal style may be very laid back but in performance very exaggerated and "showy". Sometimes the opposite is true. That's why I prefer sitting through rehearsals rather than performances sometimes.
CD: The first piece on the program was written in 1997 (I give brief explanation on musical eras, meaning of classical music, etc.). The title word, Feria, is from a Latin word that meant 'free day'. A day where slaves were free. This evolved into the concept of a festival. Sometimes with newer music you might hear a melody that you can hum. Sometimes it might be a rhythm that dominates a piece. Sometimes it's just a mass of color/sound coming at you. The best way to listen to something new is to just sit back and let your imagination wander. Does the music draw any images in your mind or evoke a certain mood? When my son was very little I would take him to concerts and as he sat on my lap I would whisper stories of what was happening in the music. It worked for him so give it a try. I think you will really enjoy the two works by Haydn. The first is a concerto for violin and orchestra. The second work will be one of his many symphonies. (Brief description of musical style in Haydn's time as well as some of his exploits and trips to London, people he would have known, and the use of "new" instruments used inserted here in conversation). The last piece on the program is Iberia from Images by Claude Debussy. Although he was a French composer his work depicting images of Spain are amazing. If anything tonight will evoke images and emotions this piece will certainly do it for you. Don't think of impressionism but rather expressionism when you listen to Debussy.
(The conversation we had contained many more details and descriptions. This was just a brief outline. As I can preview a concert I will write the details that are missing here.)
So we entered the concert hall on Friday evening. Our seats have a wonderful view of the orchestra. As a matter of fact, you feel a part of the celli and bass sections. I like it because of the view of the conductor and score. We are close enough to read the notes on the music.
Feria, by Magnus Lindberg opened the program. Within the first 30 seconds of the piece I was hooked. It was a mix of sound mass and exciting percussion. The program notes quoted Lindberg as saying the title word was Spanish for an outdoor fair or festival and specifically mentioned the trumpet fanfares as being a recurring motive, explosive and rhythmic. There was a feel of Spain but the amount and type of percussion he used was more Asian which added an interesting twist to the texture. There was even a large spring from a car that was played. Percussionists always have the most wonderful toys. Brake drums, car springs, bell trees, crotales are all fascinating to hear and see on stage. I think the piece would translate well for wind ensemble as it would broaden the color spectrum. There was a glorious "church" moment in the brass that really showed off the sonorous and golden sounds of the CSO brass section. At times I was reminded of the Winds of Nagual by Michael Colgrass. The vivid description of a place and life at a certain time. The piece was about 17 minutes long and by the end the mass of sound was almost physically fatiguing. The strings literally hummed with the sustained lines. Not quite hypnotizing but almost agitating and uncomfortable. Perhaps a little too much of one idea. I really enjoyed the strumming of the cello strings, like a guitar. Not only was it interesting to listen to but it was fun to watch.
The Haydn Concerto No. 1 was played by Augustin Hadelich. He was playing a 1793 "Ex-Kiesewetter" Stradivari violin. His sound was almond and honey. A sweet, yet rich, golden color with bits of brown and cream. His upper register had the clarity of running a moist finger around the edge of a crystal glass. It simply shimmered. His playing was beautiful and genuine. Even his stage presence was unpretentious. He treated the audience to an encore, Paganini's Carpiccio #24, and I loved that he asked the conductor if it was alright to do an encore while taking bows. It simply emphasized his youth and honesty. It was also nice to see him sit in one of the box seats for the remainder of the concert and enjoy the music.
The selection following intermission was Haydn's Symphony no. 100, the Military. I had explained to my guest that the use of the triangle, bass drum, and cymbals, were new to listeners when Haydn wrote the work. She had read in the program notes and heard in a pre-concert video that some thought that the use of percussion was similar to an army interrupting the music. I preferred the description given by CSO percussionist Dick Jensen who likened the use of percussion to the Jimi Hendrix version of the Star Spangled Banner. The playing was fun, the percussion section looked very serious when playing the interjections and I think the audience really enjoyed the performance and toes were tapping.
The final work is a beautiful piece by Claude Debussy. Every time I hear this work I am transported to a rural, coastal town in Spain. For me it depicts an entire summer day from dawn until dark. People new to a symphony experience may feel like they are listening to a movie soundtrack. There are sweeping string lines made for a Hollywood blockbuster.
What was very rewarding was listening to my guests impressions of the concert as we went to get a late dinner after the performance. She really enjoyed the Lindberg piece which surprised me because of the date of composition. She said that she felt she was in a meadow with bees buzzing all around her. She had many questions about the violin concerto, particularly the actual violin being played. She like watching the soloist. Rather than hearing a military interruption in the Haydn Symphony she felt that she was at a horse race. I thought that was very interesting. She couldn't put her finger on why it reminded her of horse racing but she said she liked the work. She actually mentioned Hollywood when I asked her about the Debussy. She had very specific images that she had in her mind's eye as she listened to the work. I queried whether or not she would be interested in going to another concert to which she replied yes! The next concert contains two works by Stravinsky and she was rather excited to listen to something different. We'll see if her schedule allows her to go again.
