Program of Debussy, Sibelius, Prokofiev & Sigfúsdóttir Works Given in a Manner Recognized By Music Lovers as a Rare and Special Event
By GEORGE B. PAROUS
Classical music lovers know, deep-down and by heart, that the treat comes rarely when they hear a symphony performance that stands out as one of the truly magnificent experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime. A world class body such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra can be counted upon to deliver, week after week, outstanding performances that set them apart as a local treasure; as a body of instrumentalists known here and the world over as one of the finest organizations of its kind, loaded with an almost unbelievable amount of talent. Yet last night, with guest conductor Dima Slobodeniouk and violin soloist Vadim Gluzman added to the program, as well as magnificent works of musical art, the PSO made for a night of almost overwhelmingly glorious entertainment. If conducted and played at the program’s performance at Sunday afternoon’s 2:30 matinee repetition even half as well, it still promises to be sensational, but everyone knows it’s always best feet forward at the matinee, so this one especially should not be missed.
Maestro Slobodeniouk was clearly in love with the program, and we couldn’t agree with him more. He conducted in a manner that best suited the order of the program numbers, and it was thrilling to watch his enthusiasm increase from the first half of the program to the second. The evening began with the brief 2017 composition, Oceans, by María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir. In a novel turn, the composer addressed the audience by video with a brief explanation of her inspiration for the nine-minute work. While her music has a certain rolling majesty, she has also written that “oceans” were not the original theme of the piece, but that during its composition she found herself thinking more and more of the massive amounts of plastic debris polluting the world’s oceans, some blobs larger than her native Iceland. The conductor and orchestra gave the work a marvelous performance, but as is frequently the case, first hearings don’t allow for extended comment. Even the program notes go no further than the composer’s description of this PSO première.
Sergei Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 63, followed, and brought Vadim Gluzman, the world-renowned violinist, to the stage. His performance more than justified the esteem he has earned, and his unaffected technique produces a unique tone and luster to the music he plays. Since the conductor and orchestra were having a particularly good night, his support and marvelous playing made the three movements of the concerto seem to conclude far too soon. But Gluzman had apparently been tipped off that it was useless to resist Pittsburgh encore fiends, and he returned after a couple of recalls to beautifully play a lovely serenade.
The second part of the program, Jean Sibelius’ The Oceanides, Opus 73 (also a PSO première), and Claude Debussy’s La Mer: Three Symphonic Sketches, were, quite honestly, a “had to be there” experience. Maestro Slobodeniouk and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra gave what can only be described as among the best performances it’s been my pleasure to hear. Moreover, the works performed brought all sections of the orchestra into play – strings, woodwind, brass, percussion – every player had to stand to acknowledge thunderous applause at the concert’s conclusion.
This is truly a program not to be missed – a bright musical spot in a new year that has not been especially kind in its first days. It will be repeated on Sunday, January 12, at 2:30, and deserves a capacity audience (which it didn’t have last evening). For tickets and more visit the PSO website.
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