If you were in attendance at Abravanel Hall last night you definitely got your money's worth because it was an epic night of music featuring Bach, Boulez, Sibelius, and Grieg! The orchestra began with Bach's Brandenburg Concertos 3 & 4 which were simply beautiful. I always picture these being performed during a ball in a Jane Austen novel. Like he did with the first two concertos, Maestro Thierry Fischer chose to perform a more modern piece by Pierre Boulez in between them. Memoriale featured a solo flute, strings, and horns and I thought it was quite ethereal. The juxtaposition between the pieces was very striking. The orchestra was divided into three groups who each performed one of the pieces with a dramatic spotlight. I really enjoyed the effect. The main event, for me any way, came after the intermission when the orchestra played Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Jean Sibelius. I was first introduced to Sibelius when I attended a performance featuring his music on a trip to Finland and I have been a huge fan ever since. Like the country of Finland itself, I find Sibelius' music to have an austere beauty. The Violin Concerto is moody and atmospheric with just a little bit of melancholy so, of course, I absolutely love it! Soloist Baiba Skride gave a beautiful and emotional interpretation which drew me in from the first note. The orchestra concluded with selections from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg. My favorites are Morning Mood (instantly recognizable from Looney Tunes cartoons) and In The Hall of the Mountain King which is quite dramatic. I thoroughly enjoyed this dynamic concert and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).
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