Review: Much to enjoy about Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s season finale
At times, the conductor elevates himself on his toes, as if lifting the music up with the gesture. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's season finale featured Hungarian guest conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy, who led the orchestra in emphasizing the contrasts and surprises held with the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Claude Debussy and Edvard Grieg. Principal clarinet player Sang Yoon Kim got the spotlight for the first Debussy piece, “Premiére rhapsodie,” (First rhapsody). The SPCO also commissioned composer Geoffrey Gordon to compose a new orchestration that requires fewer instruments than Debussy’s orchestral version. Takaccs- Nagy's mastery of the clarinet is on full display, and the work is an expression of musical excellence. After intermission, the SPCo tackles Beethven's “Pastoral” Symphony (Symphony No. 6), a sweeping homage to nature. The work doesn't go out with a bang, but rather a satisfied sigh.
Veröffentlicht : vor 11 Monaten durch Sheila Regan in
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra rounds out its season with a spot of joy, featuring Hungarian guest conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy. With spry physicality, Takács-Nagy led the orchestra in emphasizing the contrasts and also surprises held with the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Claude Debussy and Edvard Grieg.
Principal clarinet player Sang Yoon Kim got the spotlight for the first Debussy piece, “Premiére rhapsodie,” (First rhapsody). Debussy first composed the work for clarinet and piano, and later published a version for a full orchestra. The SPCO along with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta commissioned composer Geoffrey Gordon to compose a new orchestration that requires fewer instruments than Debussy’s orchestral version. This weekend’s performance marks the world premiere of Gordon’s take. It’s a lush expression of musical excellence.
Kim’s mastery of the clarinet is on full display. He can make the instrument sound as smooth as cream. In faster sections, Kim’s precision is clear, precise and magnetic. Slinking in with an effervescent sound, Kim playfully soars through the work, accompanied by the orchestra and the boisterous harp embellishments.
Conducting the SPCO in its interpretation of Grieg’s Quartet for String Orchestra in G Minor, Takács-Nagy demonstrates his animated style. He makes quick movements with his arms, pointing at different sections with vigor when it’s their turn for a new surprise. He also relishes in the quiet moments, emphasizing the extremes in the music for added verve.
At times, the conductor elevates himself on his toes, as if lifting the music up with the gesture. Throughout, his whole body is engaged with the music. Grieg’s epic work moves through swelling flourish in the first movement to floating, tripping melodies in the Romanze: Andantino movement, which ends with an undulating wave.
In the Intermezzo movement, Takács-Nagy dances to the folk-inspired rhythms as he conducts, during which the melody passes from one section to the next. His connection to the music is infectious. As the orchestra moves toward the work’s finale, it’s hard not to get inspired by the conductor’s enthusiasm.
After intermission, the SPCO tackles Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony (Symphony No. 6), a sweeping homage to nature. You can almost imagine the birds flying overhead, flowers popping up, and the picturesque bends in the road as Beethoven wanders in the woods, taking in all that nature has to offer.
A lovely flute solo marks the second movement, “Scene by the brook”: Andante molto mosso. It whispers above the sound of the strings bouncing on their strings with their bows.
Takács-Nagy once again dances in Beethoven’s third movement, which, like Grieg’s quartet, borrows folk dances to help create the narrative framework. From there, the timpanist finally gets to play in the thunderstorm section, with gusto and sublime awe.
Beethoven ends his “Pastoral” Symphony after the storm, when all come out to revel in the happiness of the fertile richness of the land. The work doesn’t go out with a bang, but rather a satisfied sigh.
If you go
Who: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
What: Season Finale: Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony with Gábor Takács-Nagy
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ordway Concert Hall, 408 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul
Tickets: $12-$50 at thespco.org
Capsule: Clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim shines in a new orchestration of Debussy’s “Premiére rhapsodie,” while guest conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy reminds audiences what there is to love about classical music.
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