May 1, 2009 - Violinist
Sarah Chang with the Austin Symphony
I don't think about
orchestra musicians having allergies. But with all the
sniffling and coughing going on at The Long Center on Friday
night, a case of the allergies would certainly explain the
sloppy trumpet playing during the Austin Symphony's
rendition of Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien, op.
45." The brass section was muddy instead of
staccato, putting a damper on the Russian composer's
celebration of Rome's Carnival.
But that didn't sway
the crowd, who gave the Austin Symphony Orchestra three
straight standing ovations during the evening. The first
came for the opening performance - the world premiere of Dan
Welcher's "Symphony no. 5."
An internationally
respected composer living and teaching in Austin, Welcher took
the podium to explain his composition, which was written
specifically for the Austin Symphony. Composed of four
movements and loosely patterned from Beethoven's Fifth
Symphony, the piece was more of a tone poem, with recurring
lines and structures.
The first and third
movements were reminiscent of a few Leonard Bernstein
compositions,
especially his "Symphonic Dances
from West Side Story." The second movement, which
Welcher said was inspired by watching the bats on Congress
Avenue Bridge, brought to mind sections of "Night on Bald
Mountain" with heavy Mussorgsky-esque overtones.
The fourth movement tied everything together by playing with
the established musicals themes in a rondo of dance rhythms.
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But it was special guest
violinist Sarah Chang who stole the show. I knew from my
AustinOnStage.com interview with the international classical
star that she was a dynamic musician that consistently wowed
the critics. But I was unprepared for the intense
emotional musicality she creates when she plays.
Hitting the stage in
a fully-beaded white gown, she sparkled physically and
musically. Her technical skill is unparalleled, but the
artistry she brought to Bruch's "Violin Concerto no. 1 in
G minor, op. 26" simply stopped the show - earning Chang
an enthusiastic standing ovation. We sat behind Long
Center namesakes Joe and Theresa Long - who are not easily
impressed - and all they kept saying was "Wow!"
(Image: Sarah Chang; photo by Cliff Watts)