Home Classical Review More Mozart
Wednesday, February 13,2008
Share
More Mozart
Classical Review
The snowstorm
last week forced a cancelled rehearsal of the Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra, and prevented the arrival of the guest soloist, pianist
Andreas Haefliger. Conductor Andreas Delfs quickly revised the plans to
something the orchestra could do with just one rehearsal. William
Schuman’s Symphony No. 5, which the MSO has never before played, and a
Mozart piano concerto were scrapped. Instead, the new program included
the Overture to Don Giovanni and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.
1, with Frank Almond stepping in as soloist. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3
was retained as originally planned.
The first few minutes of Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni create a shiver of moral terror, foretelling the Don’s condemnation to hell. This good performance on Saturday night could have gone further in emphasizing the contrast between the serious, ponderous opening and the lighthearted buffa of the second section.
The first half of the program compared Mozart at the height of his prime, in Don Giovanni, with a concerto composed at age 17. His first violin concerto is a conservative, airy, giddy work. Even its second movement Adagio is a young man’s energy slowed down rather than true contemplation. Almond has obviously played this concerto before. I was a little concerned with his first few solo phrases, which had a bit more color and vibrato than would be ideal in this style. The tone quickly settled into Almond’s characteristic, fluid sound.
He shone in lines that descended low on the instrument and suddenly leaped up into a high treble range with a lyrical ring, a device Mozart often also used in vocal music. The fiery elegance of Almond’s cadenza of the final movement was a kick.
Beethoven’s expansive “Eroica” symphony ushered in the foundations of Romantic music of the 19th century. We have not heard this one from Delfs as often as Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 5 and 9. The first grand climax of the sprawling and tragic second movement was the high point, expertly paced for chilling effect. The horn trio hunting calls in the Scherzo, played with lightness and a lovely blend, brought a smile.
The first few minutes of Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni create a shiver of moral terror, foretelling the Don’s condemnation to hell. This good performance on Saturday night could have gone further in emphasizing the contrast between the serious, ponderous opening and the lighthearted buffa of the second section.
The first half of the program compared Mozart at the height of his prime, in Don Giovanni, with a concerto composed at age 17. His first violin concerto is a conservative, airy, giddy work. Even its second movement Adagio is a young man’s energy slowed down rather than true contemplation. Almond has obviously played this concerto before. I was a little concerned with his first few solo phrases, which had a bit more color and vibrato than would be ideal in this style. The tone quickly settled into Almond’s characteristic, fluid sound.
He shone in lines that descended low on the instrument and suddenly leaped up into a high treble range with a lyrical ring, a device Mozart often also used in vocal music. The fiery elegance of Almond’s cadenza of the final movement was a kick.
Beethoven’s expansive “Eroica” symphony ushered in the foundations of Romantic music of the 19th century. We have not heard this one from Delfs as often as Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 5 and 9. The first grand climax of the sprawling and tragic second movement was the high point, expertly paced for chilling effect. The horn trio hunting calls in the Scherzo, played with lightness and a lovely blend, brought a smile.
Also in Classical Review:
..Search Shepherd Express
- Sat
11 - Sun
12 - Mon
13 - Tue
14 - Wed
15 - Thu
16 - Fri
17
Search in Events
2008-10-11 10:30am-2pm
Festivals
Select from over 2,000 original handcrafted bowls, sample delicious soups and breads from over 50 local chefs while listening to live music. Proceeds from your donation ($20 minimum per bowl including the Grab Bag Express, four bowl limits per person and $10 Kids' Bowls, no limit) will benefit food pantries and meal programs in the greater Milwaukee area.
Empty Bowls
Location: Central Milwaukee
Eighteen-year-old Ian Lafferty sets out on a cross country drive with his best
friends Lance and Felicia in order to lose his virginity to a red-hot babe he
met on the Internet. But the journey, filled wi
"Body of Lies" is based on "Washington Post" columnist David Ignatius' 2007
novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris, who uncovers a lead on a major
terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of J
Ry Cooder's California trilogy started purposefully and thematically with Chavez Ravine, turned old-time-radio wistful on My Name is Buddy, and now takes a complete header into the deep end for the concluding I, Flathead. Assuming the point of view
Genesis skipped Wisconsin during last year's reunion tour, but the three-DVD box set When In Rome 2007 spectacularly captures what we missed. Although original
frontman Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett passed on this tour,
the incarnation
Michael Polaski’s Umami Moto is already a familiar dining spot in Brookfield, where it has gained note for its menu of Asian fusion. A second Umami Moto opened in downtown Milwaukee this summer, located on Milwaukee Street in the former Eve. This ti
The Painted Parrot (8028 W. National Ave.) is a fun, colorful restaurant that follows a Caribbean theme. Jamaican murals cover the walls and reggae music blasts from behind the large bar. The menu wanders through the Caribbean with a few Louisiana touches
Free Coupons!
Free Classifieds
Win the Chicago Getaway
Answer this Survey for a chance to Win $1,000
|
|
| Dining | |
| Contests | |
| Events | |
| Music | |
| A & E | |
| Film | |
| Film Times
|
|
| The New Economy
|
|
| Blogs/Voices | |
| Sports | |
| Weather | |
| Health Express | |
| Best of the City | |
| Free Classifieds |
Express Milwaukee Halloween Guide - Add Your Event
..Search Shepherd Express
