Program:
| Richard Wagner | Béla Bartók | Ludwig van Beethoven |
| "Tannhäuser" Overture | Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No.1 , Sz 36 | Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92 |
Gidon Kremer, Violin
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
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Music feeds the soul.
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is a master chef.
Without question, this is the finest orchestra I have ever had the privilege of hearing live. The impressive acoustics in Isaac Stern auditorium at Carnegie Hall kept the venue from standing in the musicians' way. I was not expecting so much of the program to be familiar, yet the orchestra's dynamic control and musicality made it as though I was hearing each for the first time. The orchestra deservedly received a frantic standing ovation from the entire house.
The key skills this orchestra masters that set it far above average:
1) Dynamic control. When soft sections are clear, yet so soft that the audience holds its breath to hear it, loud sections explode with contrasting energy. Music so energized is a living thing rather than merely a picture of life.
2) Intonation. I could not believe how spot-on every player's intonation was. It never, ever wavered. Each string, each woodwind, each horn sang as one voice, perfectly in tune, caressing every note with aching sweetness. Impeccable intonation leaves the hearer's soul free to join in blissful harmonic perfection.
Wagner's "Tannhäuser", is the music in the quintessential Loony Tunes episode with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd singing Mel Blanc's version of the opera's libretto. Previously, whenever I heard this piece performed, I could only hear Bugs and Elmer crooning "Oh Bwunhilda, you're so wovewy - Yes I know it, I can't help it" - but this time, I could hear the music as it was intended. This orchestra transported me beyond animation's abuse to heavenly spheres where singing rabbits could no longer be heard.
The first encore was one of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances - a piece of music that has the danger of being shallow and glib when played carelessly. Never fear: this orchestra plumbs the depths of the schmaltzy Slavic soul and returns with solid expression.
The second encore was a modern-sounding piece that I was not familiar with - another dangerous piece of music, prone to hardness and inaccessibility. According to their website, this orchestra specializes in modern music, and I believe it. Instead of inaccessible hardness, there was familiar fire and passion piercing the unfamiliar notes and rhythms.
If you ever have the opportunity to hear this orchestra live, do everything in your power to attend. I'm planning on acquiring a few of their CD's - and I fervently hope that the digital translation does not keep the music from translating me as well.
Link to concert description
Link to BRSO website
