Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture was originally
written for the theatre. It was composed in 1807 for a performance, not of
Shakespeare's Coriolanus, but of Heinrich von Collin's Coriolan. This is a
dramatic piece of music with two themes one
representing Coriolanus' resolve and war-like tendencies, while the more tender
represents the pleadings of his mother to desist. The music is angular with deep chords illustrating angonized
turmoil.
Played by the New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra as seen on Sunday, June 7th at the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center, conducted by Jacques Lacombe. The Coriolan Overture is a very short piece but seems more
dramatic and substantial than many longer symphonies. Lacombe brought his own
theatrical flair to the conducting building in a measure gradual manner
underscoring the tight, concise form of the piece. The orchestra kayoed the
staccato notes. There was a taut energy whose momentum seemed to carry through
the beautiful lyrical passages and the more bucolic themes on the basses and
cellos. The horns played with a respectful ear turned towards the flutes, a
rapport which continued throughout the concert.
The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op.
73 – the Emperor - was Beethoven’s last piano concerto. Soloist Marc-Andrew Hamelin played with
utter delight and glee with
regal touches. The piece opens
with a long piano solo of majestic flourishes which captivate the
listener. The orchestra mirrors
the themes and Beethoven returns to them for the masterful conclusion of the
piece. In tandem with the
orchestra and conductor, Hamelin brought an energetic, smart performance with
lovely resonance and gripping mastery of the charm of Beethoven’s music.
The afternoon
concluded with my first ever hearing of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony live. Sure we’ve all heard the electronic
version from the 1970’s but there is nothing like hearing it live from a real
orchestra. This piece captivated
my daughter who stood and conducted from her seat – luckily we’d moved further
in the house to not annoy testy patrons around us. Classical needs a younger audience people, feel free to
thank me for exposing her. But I
digress…
This symphony is possibly the
most well-know piece of western music in the world with the ridiculously famous
opening four notes cascading through the hall. The work’s lesser known middle movements were rendered with
skillful, engaged performances and the orchestra emerged energized into its
final, regal movement. Hearing it live the piece thrills - no matter how often
it’s performed. With its building
repetitions and dramatic notes, the music moves us in ways that the more
genteel music of other composers doesn’t.
How many other symphonies do people leave the hall humming?
