“Possessed.” Devilishly dressed personas with masked makeup roamed the Jack Singer’s concert hall lobby, staring patrons into the depths of their eyes, a window to the soul. These fiends were inspired by the awesome demons from Faust, whom famously exchanged his soul for infinite knolwedge.
Paganini’s ability to create such heart-stopping and incredible music was believed to be attributed to one thing: he sold his soul to the devil. His tall and thin appearance accompained with long, dark hair helped fuel these amazing rumours. Of course, Paganini – the smart marketing man that he was – never publicly denied these attention-enhancing stories.
Hysteria for Lizst and his music performances was characterized “Lizstomania,” as it was reported that his playing elevated the audience into a mood of esctasy and joy. Fantical admirers of Lizst would tear apart handkerchiefs and gloves to gain just a little piece of this gifted musician. One women stored a cigarette butt thrown out by Lizst and bestowed it for her heirs to cherish as well. Lizst worked himself into a frenzy of amazing musical training – six hours each day went to techincal practice, with no pieces, and then his “real practice” would begin afterwards. His performances dazzled and delighted.
Included in the Festival of Virtuosity, this peformance showcased these wonderful musicians of the evening to “possess” or perhaps, to be “possessed” of great talent to play these fiendish pieces.
Following a light and cheery rendition of the “Flight of the Bumblebee” by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra was Paganini’s intensely techincal and powerful piece, Violin Concerto No.1 in D Major. This popular piece must be enjoyed if you haven’t already, having fallen in love with the violin after hearing the Calgary Philharmonic and Ning Feng perform together.
Played by the marveollusly talented Ning Feng, this piece instanly captured the audience in rapture. Witty and commanding, Ning Feng’s sensitive playing of the tender elements of the piece completely drew me in. With the spectular and loud clashes of the percussion and the majestic overture of all the sections of the orchestra, the audience could not help but give a standing ovation to the skilful musican, Ning Feng, after the first movement. In the second movement, the violin “sings” in a full operatic aria style, filling up all the whole expanse of the Jack Singer Concert Hall. The piece ends with a witty rondo and immediately sets the mood for Ning Feng’s encore of a variation on God Save the King. Pure heartfelt and delighted laughter poured from the audience.
Following this grand performance was Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.2 in A Major played by Calgarian Jan Lisiecki. Poetically interpreting the contrasting tempos of this symphonic poem, the piece infuses the forms of literature and artwork to create one, continous virtuoso movement. The highlight of this piece was the piano and the solo cello playing off one another, an ear pleasing combination of strong rapid tempos and graceful notes that imitated a light harp. Cheerful and delighted laughter returned when an encore of a witty Mozart’s Turkish March was performed.
A selection of Prokofiev’s imaginative music encompassed unrestricted energy from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in the finale of the Scythian Suite.
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is a delightful treat to the ears and I guarantee with any performance you attend, you’ll be impressed by their magnificent and awe-inspiring virtuosity. Thanks so much to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for providing me the opportunity to experience world-class music up close and LIVE! Come one, come all, young or old, because I know that you’ll never experience virtuosity quite like the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
*Featured image courtesy Calgary Herald