Boston Philharmonic
Benjamin Zander, Conductor
Wednesday 10/10/01 Sanders Theatre, Harvard University
Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72
Jean Sibelius: Concerto for Violin in D minor, Op. 47 Stefan Jackiw,
violin
Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 (from the New World)
Thursday 11/15/01 Sanders Theatre, Harvard University
JS Bach: Cantata No. 150, BWV 150
Alban Berg: Seven Early Songs, Margaret O’Keefe, soprano
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
This year we have bought a season series with this orchestra. This expands
on our season tickets at the Boston Symphony Chamber Players at Jordan
Hall at New England Conservatory. Mother O. had season tickets for quite
a few years and we continued those seats.
I have not been to more than one or two live orchestra concerts in 25
years. But, Zander has been drawing a lot of attention for his interpretations
of Mahler and Stravinsky. In addition, this series is specifically intended
to be didactic with an introductory lecture by Zander illustrated by
the orchestra. Reminds me of the Bernstein series on TV back in the
‘50s.
The Boston Philharmonic is a first rate orchestra. The string section
is especially crisp, on target with its intonation, and fairly lush
in its tone. Zander is straight forward in his conducting and pretty
vigorous and thorough in his interpretations. And, the orchestra seems
very well rehearsed.
Zander’s introductory talks have been generally useful (and fun)
in elucidating the music you are about to hear.
Some of my highlights:
- The second largo movement from the Dvorak symphony was a revelation.
Extremely well set out and very moving.
- I think of Jean Sibelius as composer of Finlandia, but the Violin
Concerto was written with a much darker palette.
- The Bach Cantata is a gem. A wonderful meeting of text and music.
The soprano, Jeanne LaRocque, a student from the New England Conservatory.
has a very sound voice.
- The Berg was a complete surprise. It is an orchestrated version of a setting Berg made at age 22 of love poems accompanied by piano. The music is much more closely allied to late romanticism than abstraction.
11/19/01