|Violinist Rachel Barton Pine|
SSO Heats up the night with ‘Romantic Violin’
By James O. Welsch and Linda Loomis
Some of the sizzle of tonight’s concert might be attributed to the long-standing musical collaboration between Syracuse Symphony Orchestra conductor Daniel Hege and guest artist Rachel Barton Pine. The performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto conveyed a comfortable rapport between them, resulting in a convincing rendition of the beloved piece. The showpiece of the evening was sandwiched between composer Kevin Puts’ “River’s Rush” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2.”
Linda: It was a treat to have Puts introduce his own work, telling the audience about the source of his inspiration: the energy of rivers. The 10-minute opener was characterized by constant motion, building to a moment of repose, where a clarinet duet signaled the beginning of a rush to the end.
James: Puts attempts several ideas in “River’s Rush. Wonderful things emerge--like the difficult brass canons and the constantly shifting poly-harmonic sections. However, some of Puts’ orchestral efforts are often lost in this large orchestra, consumed by the initial idea itself, energy.
Linda: Pine’s performance was a true delight. It was clear that Pine was entranced by the Sibelius, a piece she has played since her childhood, and not an element of affectation was detected in her presentation.
James: Indeed! Pine was able to draw an introspective stillness from this work. The piece is enigmatic, but it evokes all sorts of imagery – not imagery that is persistent, but rather that which forges organic associations that enchant the listener. Likewise, Pine finds a way to pull art through the oppressive musical force, coaxing it into development and letting it consume her when necessary.
Linda: I was breathless when, in the first movement, she displayed such artistry in the starkly contrasting phrases that varied from extreme sweetness to fiery passion. And she delivered the long phrases in the Adagio di molto with elegance. She earned a standing ovation, then returned to the stage with her own variations on the New Zealand national anthem. The variations gave her an opportunity to display her virtuosity. Clearly, James, Pine has found herself a second home in Syracuse.
James: Linda, I know you’re hot for Brahms and his second symphony, but I wish orchestras would stop augmenting the size of the string sections. The symphonies of Brahms were never initially heard with the blown-up string sections of today. The result: a loss of true intimacy – a byproduct of the over exaggeration associated with Romanticism. One thing that Hege does, however, is keep the pulse moving. I mean, we certainly can’t handle both the sugariness of a super-sized string section and a lugubrious tempo.
Linda: We heard amazing solo work in this popular piece, James: the extended horn work in the first movement; the many collaborative wind lines in the second movement, and the pastoral oboe in the beginning of the third movement.
James: Generally, good playing from the orchestra this evening and a decent launch to the spring season.
What: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra with guest violinist Rachel Barton Pine performing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. Program also includes Puts’ “Rivers Rush” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.
Where: Crouse-Hinds Theater, John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse.
Attendance: Friday night--1127
Tickets: $15 to $70. Call 424-8200 or 800-724-3810 or visit www.syracusesymphony.org