Monday marks the beginning of the rehearsal period for our next Classical concert, November 21-23. Conducted by Resident conductor Gregory Vajda, this program will feature a pretty diverse group of compositions.
Though not the major work on the program, Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for winds will feature four of our outstanding wind principals: David Buck, flute; Martin Hebert, oboe; Carin Miller, bassoon; and John Cox, horn. It’s a wonderful work, and is one of those discovered pieces in which the solo parts and a rough score were found in Mozart’s own hand, but for which there was no autograph of a completed score. The orchestral parts were most recently reconstructed by musicologist/pianist Robert Levin. Here’s a short video introduction to the piece by New York Philharmonic music director Alan Gilbert:
Also on the program: the Second Symphony “Double” of Henri Dutilleux. It’s entitled the Double because it features a smaller ensemble pitted against the larger full orchestra. It’s an early piece of Dutilleux, who is considered to be the heir to the tradition of Debussy and Ravel, and is one of the first pieces where his mature voice emerges. What is his sound world? Think early Webern and Schoenberg as they relate to Brahms and Mahler. His music is tonal, very French in its outlook, but decidedly modern, with hints of the Impressionist school clearly in evidence.
An early overture of Mendelssohn opens the program, and the (sorry for the cliche) swashbuckling Le Corsaire Overture of Berlioz closes the program.
6 replies on “mozart, dutilleux, and more”
I love Dutilleux, though I’m not familiar with the Double. Setup reminds me of War Requiem. Hm, that’d be an interesting program.
I’m looking forward to hearing the Dutilleux symphony, which I am sure has never been heard before in Portland. This is yet another example of Carlos’ imaginative programming that has brought so much that is new and different to symphony audiences. Should be a fun concert and it is always nice to see Gregory leading the orchestra.
I forgot to add some additional thoughts regarding unusual pieces. I caught the final performance of Orphee at Portland Opera. I liked it, especially Glass’s score and the singing. Although the staging was not as dynamic as it might have been, I have to compliment Portland Opera for programming that work. From what I could see, the turnout was quite respectable for such a challenging work. I wonder if opera-goers are more adventurous than symphony patrons. It seems like anytime the symphony ventures too far off the beaten path, it is punished at the box office. Any thoughts out there on this topic?
i love dutilleux’s 2nd symphony. there’s a wealth of orchestrational color and subtlety in this wonderful work.
if you get a chance to go hear it twice, do. dutilleux’s harmonic sense is exquisite. this score amply repays repeated listenings. it is a very rich and layered sonic tapestry.
he’s long been one of my fave. composers. his body of work is quite small and almost always outstanding. no opus 200 or 300 for dutilleux.
in addition to the 2nd symphony, allow me to recommend his string quartet (“ainsi la nuit”) that fear no music will be playing later in their season.
perhaps his greatest work, imo, is his cello concerto (“tout un monde lontain . . . “). it was written for rostropovich who recorded it on an essential desert island disc that also includes lutoslawski’s shattering cello concerto of 1970 (messiaen referred to it as a total masterpiece).
yes, i’m a big fan and feel very grateful that the oregon symphony is programming more dutilleux (they did his orchestra piece entitled “metaboles” a few years ago).
btw, maestro dutilleux will be turning 94 in january and is continuing to compose . . .
Dutilleux is one of the greats and this is a fascinating and beautiful symphony. Like all of his music, it requires tremendous virtuosity. The detail of his writing is wondrous. Enjoy the week!
a few more tidbits re. dutilleux;
in addition to his link to debussy and ravel, dutilleux was very influenced by early stravinsky and varese.
finally, if you like dut’s music, check out a few lesser known composer-colleagues of his:
andre jolivet
maurice ohana
these fine musicians deserve a wider audience, imo.
ok, missionary mode now off.