THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410010302
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TEPLY
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
It is good to report that after what seemed like somewhat shaky opening concerts three weeks ago, the Virginia Symphony sounded back in top form Friday evening.
Maestro JoAnn Falletta, at Chrysler Hall, led the orchestra through performances that were conceived with much thought and filled with passion.
No doubt a strong influence on the whole evening was the guest soloist, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. Having memorized his part in Aaron Copland's ``Clarinet Concerto,'' he spoke directly to the audience and interacted well with the conductor and orchestra, shaping every phrase with meaningful care. With technical security throughout, he played with superb intonation and a physical sense of rhythm.
After a tender first movement, the beginning of the solo cadenza seemed as if it were being sung by a gifted singer, as if there were words of deep meaning being expressed. Stoltzman handled the cadenza's tricky leaps with athletic agility. His dexterity was even more obvious in the second movement. He bent the pitch in characteristic jazz fashion and built to the high notes with confidence.
At only a few times in this movement, the violins were unable to place their high notes in tune. Otherwise, the orchestra gave a solid performance, with important parts by harpist Barbara Chapman and pianist Christopher Kypros. Stoltzman's encore, ``Amazing Grace,'' again captured the audience with its quiet intensity.
Ravel's ``La Valse,'' the program opener, began with the same kind of captivating hush. A multitude of impressionistic effects followed, involving both well-balanced instrumentation and well-controlled flexibility of rhythm and tempo. Falletta's control of details was impressive, though at the end one might have wished for less control so the frenzy could really explode.
The same attention to detail shaped Brahms' ``Symphony No. 2.'' The orchestra followed the nuances in Falletta's conducting with confident commitment. Even in the long first movement, the performers' understanding of the dramatic form was easy to follow. Changing levels of intensity worked throughout the symphony to help the listener follow the musical events. Of the several featured players, oboist Phillip Koch and French hornist David Wick stood out, as did the entire cello section at the start of the second movement.
Much of this program's strength was in the soft playing of the orchestra, a crucial part of all the pieces. Unfortunately, the effect was disturbed by the noise of the air conditioning, an ongoing problem in Chrysler Hall. ILLUSTRATION: MUSIC REVIEW
The Virginia Symphony
Friday night at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk. Program will be repeated
at 8 o'clock tonight.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA SYMPHONY
by CNB