THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504010236
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: MUSIC REVIEW
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
There are moments when the Virginia Symphony exceeds expectations. When everything clicks. When you forget your pricey CDs and lose yourself in the music. When you close your eyes and expect to open them and find yourself somewhere fancier than Chrysler Hall.
Friday's concert ended with one of those moments, at the climax of Mussorgsky's ``Pictures at an Exhibition.'' Music director Joann Falletta made the transition into ``The Great Gate of Kiev'' with no break - not too loud, not too slow, unutterably noble. And with immense chords the ensemble finished as grand a traversal of ``Pictures'' as Hampton Roads is likely to hear.
Ravel's familiar orchestration of Mussorgsky's piano cycle closed a program of favorite master works. The orchestra gave a solid account of another piece about painting, Hindemith's neo-Baroque ``Mathis der Maler'' Symphony. And Tchaikovsky competition medalist David Buechner was a compelling soloist in Liszt's Concerto No. 1.
But the ``Pictures,'' a series of pieces after works of the Russian painter Victor Hartmann, made the night. Only a few accidents in solos reminded the listener that this is a regional orchestra. Falletta was in the kind of Sensurround repertoire that suits her best. Playing in the brisk ``Limoges'' was light and focused, running into the cold wall of brass at the opening of ``Catacombs.''
Buechner opened the concerto with thundering chords. He was reflective, but not overly so, in the Chopinesque passages, and was clear at all dynamic levels. It would not have been disappointing if he walked out after intermission to play ``Pictures'' himself.
The concert opened with ``Mathis der Maler,'' taken from the opera Matthias the Painter. It was a good piece for this orchestra, as it featured full brass chords and an extensive solo flute part. The sound was uncharacteristically vivid, since the orchestra and Chrysler Hall management have altered the configuration of the stage - the ceiling was lowered and everyone was brought forward. There was still no resonance, but before the brass entered you could hear them breathe. ILLUSTRATION: VIRGINIA SYMPHONY
Friday at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. The program will be repeated
today at 8 p.m. at Chrysler Hall, with a pre-concert lecture at 7
p.m. Tickets: $15-$34. Call 623-2310 for more information.
by CNB