Roman Festival

Yesterday, I did something I have always wanted to do but couldn't, until the opportunity presented itself to me. I attended a Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday at 11:00 a.m. In the past I have been unable to do this because I was either in class or at work. With a Friday off, I could finally take advantage of this opportunity. Slated for the concert was music director, Paavo Jarvi and viola soloist Isabelle van Keulan were grounded in Europe because of the volcanic ash from Iceland's erupting volcano. In their places, Julian Kuerti (second in command behind James Levine at the Boston Symphony Orchestra) and Nokuthula Ngwenyama (from one of my alma maters Indiana University) stepped in to perform in their absence. The concert opened with Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture led greatly by the maestro. I have not heard the overture performed live, and this was certainly a treat. Whenever one has a chance to experience Berlioz live, it is an event not to be missed. It is music that just isn't served justice through recording. Though the first work went of well, the second work, Harold en Italie, had some shaky moments. The orchestra was not together in some passages, and the conductor did little to bring them together (at times it felt like this was a Steve Reich phase arrangement). It was somewhat disappointing. But they managed to solve their issues by the finale, which was impressive, certainly given the closing tempo Kuerti insisted, which was the quickest I have heard the work close on. But it was effective and performed with precision.

The second half began with Berlioz's overture to his opera Benvenuto Cellini. This shared the great ensemble tightness the Roman Carnival Overture had, and was performed flawlessly by the orchestra, and kudos for Kuerti on his interpretation. The program concluded with Respighi's Pines of Rome, and what a treat to finally experience this work live! Kuerti's direction was spot on, and the orchestra matched it to great heights.

Since I have not been to one of the daytime concerts, the audience should be noted. Most were elderly, though I did come across those within my age range, and younger. But I had the pleasure of sitting across from a group of what appeared to be people with Downs Syndrome. Before the concert began I was wondering if they would have the attention span to last the entire concert. But I was surprisingly wrong by how entranced and attentive they were at hearing a live performance. Some of them were especially grateful for the experience and vocally cheering to themselves over the performance they just witnessed. Just another indication of what music and the arts can do for all minds alike.