Pintscher: Idyll (for orchestra) (World Premiere performances)
Chopin: Andante Spianato & Grand Polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22 (for piano and orchestra) (Lang Lang, piano)
Strauss: Burleske (for piano and orchestra) (Lang Lang, piano)
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Franz Welser-Most, conductor.
Chopin: Andante Spianato & Grand Polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22 (for piano and orchestra) (Lang Lang, piano)
Strauss: Burleske (for piano and orchestra) (Lang Lang, piano)
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Franz Welser-Most, conductor.
Ok, so on one hand I was very excited to return to Severance for a new
season, on the other hand that excitement was tempered -- almost quenched -- by
the news that Mr. Welser-Most's contract was renewed. I was really hoping for a
change, and the news out of Austria had gotten my hopes up.
Anyway, this afternoon's concert opened with a half hour of tedium in the
form of Matthias Pintscher's Idyll. While not as jarring and painful as most
"new" classical at 25 minutes plus it was entirely too long and uninteresting --
sure there were parts that had a tenuous hold of my attention, early on a
section reminded me of playful nymphs; later the atmosphere approaching a murder
scene in a classic film, but on the whole I would have preferred to do
without.
Lang Lang brought Chopin's Andante spianato & Grand Polonaise
brilliante to life beginning with a sound I would liken to a delightfully fluffy
and delicious pastry for the ears to wash out the foul taste of the prior
composition -- although the orchestra was a bit stiff under Welser-Most's baton, it was certainly preferable to the Pintscher.
Following intermission was like an entirely new concert and could have been cleaved from the first half for a much more enjoyable program on its own. Chopin's Burleske, once again with the piano part played by Lang Lang was sparkling with a bold orchestra embracing in a familiar dance with the piano, while towards the end of the piece brought arguments from the orchestra that puncutated otherwise flowing music.
Finally the program closed with Strauss's Till Eulenspeigel's Merry Pranks was enjoyable in a fun and lyrical way but I didn't find it particularly memorable
Lincoln
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