Sunday, February 18, 2007
Capuçon Brothers and the NSO Gave a Great Concert
Last night's concert by the NSO conducted by Leonard Slatkin was music for the gods, smooth enough to calm one's nerves and hot enough to melt the snow.
Debussy's Prelude to the The Afternoon of a Faun was truly lovely, with echoes of Stephane Mallarme's poem "L'Apres-midi d'un faune".
Then we were treated by the Capuçon duet, though they are truly unique and equally talended in their own right. Renaud Capuçon plays a 1737 Guarneri del Gesu violin from which gold spewed. His brother, Gautier, plays a 1701 Matteo Goffriller cello which was incredible. Together they gave and took and produced a performance I shall not forget of Brahms' Concerto in A minor for Violin, Cello and Orchestra, Op. 102. And, of course, the NSO was at its best.
Intermission came and went and then Slatkin gave us a short introduction to John Adams's Harmonielehre. I really like his short talks, for they help us connect with the music, and like a poet talking about his work before reading, it makes perfect sense for me to hear such a short intro to music as well. It helps to put things into perspective and Slatkin has not only made his audience connect with him and the music but he has also educated us at the same time. Add to that that he has transformed the NSO into a Class A orchestra since he joined it. I just wonder what Tim Page of the Washington Post was up to when he made his tacky comments recently. In any case, Slatkin still pleases many of us and that says a great deal.
Way to go NSO!
Debussy's Prelude to the The Afternoon of a Faun was truly lovely, with echoes of Stephane Mallarme's poem "L'Apres-midi d'un faune".
Then we were treated by the Capuçon duet, though they are truly unique and equally talended in their own right. Renaud Capuçon plays a 1737 Guarneri del Gesu violin from which gold spewed. His brother, Gautier, plays a 1701 Matteo Goffriller cello which was incredible. Together they gave and took and produced a performance I shall not forget of Brahms' Concerto in A minor for Violin, Cello and Orchestra, Op. 102. And, of course, the NSO was at its best.
Intermission came and went and then Slatkin gave us a short introduction to John Adams's Harmonielehre. I really like his short talks, for they help us connect with the music, and like a poet talking about his work before reading, it makes perfect sense for me to hear such a short intro to music as well. It helps to put things into perspective and Slatkin has not only made his audience connect with him and the music but he has also educated us at the same time. Add to that that he has transformed the NSO into a Class A orchestra since he joined it. I just wonder what Tim Page of the Washington Post was up to when he made his tacky comments recently. In any case, Slatkin still pleases many of us and that says a great deal.
Way to go NSO!
