“When James Ehnes played an A in rehearsal on his Stradivarius, he was louder than the whole orchestra while tuning…”
James Ehnes, the guest artist for this concert, plays a very special instrument: the “ex-Marsick” Stradivarius of 1715.
The Stradivarius is a household name among violinist, and these violins are renowned for their unsurpassed sound and craftsmanship. At a time where we are more technologically advanced than we were 300 hundreds years ago, we have to reproduce the beautiful music uniquely produced by the Stradivari family. What makes these violins incomparable? Laura Reid, a member of the first violinists in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), tried to tackle the question. “It could have in wood at the time, and we can’t reproduce that. Or it may be the varnish… or the glue. I think it’s also due to the craftsmanship… you definitely notice when a craftsmen pours their heart and soul into something they make.”
The CPO excitedly announced that this evening’s evening performance of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony was to be recorded, to be a part of the CPO’s long term goal of producing live recordings of all Beethoven’s nine symphonies. Recording in an empty concert hall was no replacement for the joyous feelings of playing in front of a live audience would bring to the CPO musicians.
Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a
Korngold Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
The Four Seas Interlude, which performed in Britten’s opera Peter Grimes in its debut in 1945. The opera has quite serious and dark undertones attributed to the opera’s main character, Peter Grimes, a gruff fisherman who is distrusted for his individuality and his retreating nature. Stuck in a web of difficulties and despair, despite his dream of living another life with Ellen, a widowed school mistress, he goes insane and commits suicide. The orchestra essential role is to introduce and provides bridges between the opera’s interludes. Most memorably, the dichotomy of the last movement, Storm, was a furious and intense exchange of the Orchestra in this visually brutal score. The feelings of a rising intensity and anticipation was wonderfully created by the violins and the cellos, as each body responded to each other’s exchange in a grander typhoon of power than the last.
The much anticipated highlight of the evening was to be Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major was to be played by the internationally and critically acclaimed violinst, James Ehnes. Walking gallantly onto the stage and taking his place beside the conductor, from the moment he played his first note, James Ehnes had completely “owned the stage,” as after all, his recording of Korngold had won a 2008 Grammy Award for best Instrumental Soloist Performance. A lyrical and romantic composition, the CPO and James Ehnes wonderfully play the two tender and expressive movements, as the serenely warm tones of the piece penetrated the audience. Most magically, after a powerful and quick score in the final movement, accentuated by the percussion and horns, James Ehnes’ wizardly wizardly bow arm pierces through the thicket of intensity with a clear and ringing high note, and proceeds to enrapture the audience with his amazing technical skill and majestic sound.
James Ehnes received a wonderful standing ovation after his performance, and was applauded to perform two encores, and relaxed as he showcased his renowned lyrical poetry and breathtaking technical talent and sound.
Lastly, Beethoven’s 7th Symphony was “the crowning glory” of the concert, and is considered Beethoven’s most “exhilarating” and “joyful” symphonies, becoming a model for Mahler and later composers as they admire this piece’s dramatic contrast of mood. With an introduction that moves in a slow tempo, it is a bold movement that preludes the third movement. The third movement is energetic, and the majestic muscle that Beethoven imagines is played forth and quite brilliantly by the CPO. However, the second movement is a strong expression of grief and sorrow, and the CPO quite dramatically plays the sordid movement with such profound emotion that remarkably has the audience feeling deep melancholy and despair.
I recommend everyone to hear the live performance of this incredible and high caliber group of world class musicians, as it is a unique experience unlike any other.
Thanks goes to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for providing me outstanding seats to this performance! I recommend for all, young and old, to enjoy the majestic and uplifting music of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra!