By JAMES LEWIS
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, fresh from its acclaimed European tour, returned to Heinz Hall Saturday night in a stunning performance to launch its new season. The annual gala is the PSO’s major fundraising event of the year, with much of the proceeds supporting the symphony’s outreach to youth in Allegheny County. The stage was bathed in red, and many of the female musicians wore evening gowns, as did those who paid to attend the opening and closing receptions.
Music Director Manfred Honeck was in a buoyant mood as he led the orchestra through what, with one exception, was a selection of favorite war horses, opening with Leonard Bernstein’s Candide: Overture a rousing piece that brings every section of the orchestra into play. Honeck introduced the overture by reminding audiences that it was Bernstein himself who first encouraged him to turn to conducting.
Next on the program was a suite from Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen, consisting of three pieces adapted by Maestro Honeck that culminates with March of the Toreadors, another show-stopper.
Honcho then brought Anne Martindale Williams, the orchestra’s principal cellists and Dale Jeong, Associate Principal Cello, to the stage to perform an arrangement of jazz artist Chick Corea’s La Fiesta. This was a bittersweet moment, for Ms. Williams will retire next month after half a century with the PSO, all but three of them as principal. While stagehands brought on the grand piano, Honeck asked her to reminisce about her career. She cited the orchestra’s performance at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II as one of her most memorable moments. The audience accorded her a long and heartfelt ovation.
Honeck then introduced Chinese virtuoso Lang Lang, recalling some of his own memories. He was among the first to introduce the young pianist to American audiences, and the two have a longstanding friendship.The artists launched into Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #5 in E-flat major Op. 73, known as “The Emperor.”
Unlike most piano concertos, which open with the piano and orchestra stating a theme, Beethoven opened this work with a piano cadenza punctuated by fortissimo chords from the orchestra. Lang Lang introduced this with characteristic flair, then held the audience spellbound as he led the orchestra through the heroic first movement. He dazzled with keyboard pyrotechnics and displayed a range of dynamics from fortissimo to pianissimo within a single arpeggio. The audience erupted to its feet at the close of the movement, holding the rest of the concerto hostage for almost a minute.
Another surprise was about to come. The second movement is an adagio, is a quiet, lyrical piece in marked contrast to the first. The final movement, a boisterous rondo, follows without interruption. Lang Lang held the final notes of the adagio a bit longer than usual, building tension that exploded as he launched into the rondo. Although those familiar with the piece knew what was coming, he turned the transition into a surprise, bringing chuckles and a bit of laughter.
As the dramatic movement concluded, the crowd leapt to its feet with delight. Over the applause, loud pops sounded from the ceiling, and confetti and streamers fell on the hall. Honeck wrapped himself in the ribbons as he left the stage, and the crowd cried for more.
If this concert is an indication of what is to come, we are in for one of the PSO’s most memorable seasons.
James Lewis is a former public media professional and consultant who now writes fiction. Many of his eleven novels are set in Pittsburgh, his adopted home.
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply