Wow – how did the last concert weekend of the season get here so quickly? I guess it is a sign of my growing age that the years are starting to go by much faster than they used to. Perhaps it’s also an indication of how rich and full my life is as well.
If you don’t have your tickets for this weekend’s concerts, you might want to hustle over the the website or call the ticket office to get them before much more time passes, word will get out that this is going to be a must-see concert, and you will be very sad if you aren’t able to get a seat for this one!
The opening piece is a short (around 3 minutes) piece by Magnus Lindberg called “Finale Grande” from a collection of pieces by various composers that are based upon a Purcell theme. It is tonal and inoffensive at worst, invigorating and beautiful at best (I vote for best).
The remainder of the first half of the concert is taken up by Britten’s youthful Violin Concerto, Op. 15. It is one of many pieces that were written in America by foreign-born composers (such as Britten’s own Sinfonia da Requiem, Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto), written by Britten in 1939 and given its world premiere in Carnegie Hall by the New York Philharmonic with violinist Antonio Brosa with Sir John Barbirolli conducting. It is such a wonderful and powerful piece, sounding something like a cross between Shostakovich and Korngold’s violin concerti (each written after the Britten), but emerging constantly with the powerful personal voice of Britten. The coda of the final movement will devastate you, I guarantee. Violinist Elina Vähälä is stunning in her interpretation of the piece, and it’s great to have her back after her phenomenal Vivaldi performances of a few years ago.
The second half of the concert is devoted entirely to Mahler’s First Symphony ‘Titan’. Rehearsals have been going very well on this piece (as with the others on the program) and it may well be one of our most effective performances of the season. The brass have never sounded better, and everyone is in top form.
This last concert weekend sees final performances with the Oregon Symphony by five of its musicians. Retiring this season after multiple decades each are Principal timpani Paul Salvator (not pictured), percussionists Christine Perry and Steve Lawrence, and double bassist Tommy Thompson. Also playing his final concerts with the Oregon Symphony is Principal flute David Buck, who is departing for the position of Principal flute with the Los Angeles Philharmonic next season. Godspeed to all of them in their future endeavors! And thanks for the many great years of devoted service.