Edvard Grieg was a brilliant Norwegian composer and pianist, recognized most famously for his Piano Concerto in A Minor. This familiar piece immediately launched Grieg to international recognition and an encounter with renowned composer Tchaikovsky left an impression on the Russian master, as Tchaikovsky praised Grieg’s music for it’s great warmth, beauty and originality.
Unfortunately, Louis Lortie, the original artist of the CPO’s performance, had injured his arm during a hiking accident, but his substitute Andrew Von Oeyen had luckily stepped in to dazzle the crowd with Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor.
The program starts with Wagner’s delightful Overture to the Flying Dutchman, a dramatic piece exploring the developing style of Romanticism in his early opera, The Flying Dutchman (1843). The opera is a beloved and classic piece, based on the mysterious legend that provided the foundation of Pirates of the Carribean. A Dutch sea captain whose foolish defiance of the Devil is condemned to riding the harsh seven seas for eternity. Triumphant horns bellow and percussion clash together to create the familiar melody of a life on the sea and the raucous howling of the dangerous seven seas. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra brilliantly captures the energetic and epic melody of adventurism on and the majesty of the oceans, whilst quite masterfully delivering a beautiful and livid interpretation of the tender love present in the opera.
The star piece of the CPO’s program tonight, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor , was beautifully performance by the captivating pianist Andrew Von Oeyen. Oeyen’s technicality and dazzling energy brought out in the concerto was simply superb, every note played was a pearl. With a powerful and enthralling stage presence, Oeyen dazzles the audience with his impressively sensitive and dynamic performance. The brief duet with the principal cellist and the solo pianist was simply moving, graceful and heart warming- magically filling the Jack Singer Concert Hall with a eloquence and dynamic style.
The first movement bears the most familiarity among audiences, as the simplistic movement is melancholic in nature, slowly transitioning into an energetic melody based off of the traditional leaping dance among Norwegians. The CPO captivated the audience with its driven enthusiasm and beautiful interpretation, eliciting many smiles and inquisitive interest, under the baton of the exciting and stunningly expressiveness of Maestro Jean-Marie Zeitouni. The program was met with a resounding reception, as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra delivered quite an exquisite and rousing performance, with guest Andrew Von Oeyen.
Overall the concert was an absolute delight, a fascinating peek into the life and the influence of Norwegian folk music on Edvard Grieg, sometimes attributed to be a “Chopin of the North” for his zeal and dedication. Thanks goes to the CPO for providing this awe-inspiring opportunity for youth to experience the wonderful music of the CPO! Give the gift of live music or bring a special someone to watch a concert! I can ensure you that young or old, you will be enthralled and blown over by the wonderful grandeur and energy of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra!