Word: concert
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...concert, at Symphony Hall, opened with Beethoven's Egmont Overture. It was obvious from the get-go that this was not the Beethoven of Bernstein's New York Philharmonic or Solti's Chicago Symphony. The first powerful f minor chord, an expression of force that often drowns the listener with its weight, had a subdued, chamber-like quality not normally associated with the work. The timbre of the period woodwinds, as heard in their ensuing dialogue, differed slightly from the sound of a modern performance. This distinction in tone colors became more noticeable in the well-executed solo horn sections...
...summarize the important themes of a play and to warm up the audience. Even if at times the orchestra's execution lacked a certain precision, Hogwood's interpretation gave credence to the label "overture" and prepared the audience, and the orchestra as well, for the rest of the concert...
Following the overture, in her Boston debut, the soprano Christine Brewer sang Beethoven's concert aria Ah! Perfido. Brewer navigated the recitative, an abandoned woman's diatribe against her lover, with confidence and ease. The first slow half of the subsequent aria showcased her delicate control and artistry in the upper register. The second half, speckled with piercing cries directed against the faithless lover, called for a quicker, more agitated approach, which Brewer delivered well. The aria closed on a satisfying note with the reprise of the first theme. Throughout the piece, the intimate quality of the period orchestra proved...
After the Sanctus and Benedictus, the concert closed on the final part of the Mass, the Agnus Dei. Antony Pay's flawless clarinet solos blended well with the alternating vocal sections, and a distinctive period horn sound, in some very well played passages, filled out the instrumental solo sections. The combination of orchestra, chorus, solo vocal and solo instrumental lines in this final piece created a very pleasing sense of unity to end the concert. The only real problem with the program was that with only 60 minutes of music, it was not enough...
...Shaham is now recognized as a consummate virtuoso the world over, and his recital last Friday (as part of BankBoston's 60th Annual Celebrity Series Concert Series) proved to a packed audience at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall why this is the case...