First of all, congratulations to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for winning the 2011 Calgary White Hat Award for Top Attraction for Calgary! The CPO is truly an essential body in the thriving culture of Calgary!
I must say that I have developed a new love for Liszt as a classical composer. The moment I heard Liszt Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat Major, played by the incredibly talented Evgeny Starodubtsev (Laureate of Canada’s Honens International Piano Competition 2009), I was simply blown away by the pure dramatic and lively nature of the piece.
This concert is one that I absolutely enjoyed and is among one my favourites! The whole program was outstanding and introduced me to more the abstract and dramatic side of classical music. Let’s start with Turnia’s Danza fantastica. This beautiful piece certainly ushered in the elusive season of spring, with the overall bright melody and chirps of the the wind section.
Secondly, the highlight of this concert was the powerful performance of Evgeny Starodubtsev and of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.1. Tall and lanky, the Honens Piano Competition Laureate of 2009 transformed the piece to be larger than life! Hunched over the piano and solely concentrated on the keys of the piano, Starodubtsev was in a world of his own.
I felt as if Starodubtsev was calling on all notes to be released from underneath the keys and to explode with power. Starodubtsev and Liszt was the perfect pairing- the overwhelmingly dramatic and exhilarating piece required the frenzied rush Starodubtsev brought to the stage. Starodubtsev received a standing ovation for his great performance, especially impressing the audience with his style and the fire (of flurried hands!) he performed at the finale of the piece.
Dvorak‘s Symphony No.7 in D Minor was not a piece that is commonly associated with the Czech composer’s well-known style. Pulling away from his prevalent theme of music that inspired people to nationalism, this symphony proved to be one of Dvorak’s most abstract and dramatic pieces. From the uplifting melody and energetic movements, Dvorak likes to start movements with a bang and finish softly. Huge and overwhelming harmony that engaged the whole Orchestra were placed in the middle of movements, which were quite refreshing and different from other classical compositions.
Nearing the end of the 2010/11 season of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, it has been just a great opportunity and honour to hear the Orchestra live, listening to so many high caliber musicians and conductors that enhance the culture of Calgary! It has truly been a privilege to have a world class orchestra make its home right here in Calgary, and to offer amazing classical music, live, from the highest calibre of musicians and conductors. It is our love for music that unites us all. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra does just that, bringing together families, the young and the old, musicians and travelers, to experience the wonderful culture of Calgary. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is not a attraction to miss!
