Word: concert
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Last Friday's concert initially seemed just another example of HRO's excellent reputation. The performance opened with a solid rendition of Danish composer Carl Nielsen's Helios Overture, Opus 17, led by assistant conductor Daniel Altman. HRO's command of dynamics is spectacular, and the various crescendos and decrescendos were subtle and nuanced, yet vivid and exciting as the orchestra swelled and faded dramatically. The violins shimmered over the rapid-fire rataplan of the brass as the overture progressed. Dancing staccato strings quickly relinquished prominence to legato passages for a fuller ensemble, until finally the hall exploded with...
...phrasing underscored the motion of the "High Ghost" and the "Low Ghost" between the chimes and glockenspiel and the tuba and low strings. An unusually quiet orchestra exquisitely realized the dissonance. (HRO is master of the loud; exuberant finales seemed continually to hit new heights of forte during the concert.) The dramatic dynamic shift was especially effective since the next movement, "Warrior," opened with a drum shot like a pistol crack and only became more intense after that. Every phrase in this movement seemed fraught with some deeper meaning, as ponderous strings led the orchestra to a profound conclusion...
...more tranquil work, Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2, closed the concert. Unfortunately, various events so depleted the ranks of available singers that the choral component of Ravel's score remained unsung. Fortunately, the lack was hardly noticed in the grandeur of the orchestra's performance. The opening rills for wind and harp, although punctuated by two unmerciful squeaks, created a setting of pastoral calm. Dense, lush orchestration frequently dissolved into the quickness and light of lighter sections; this is clearly recognizable as music for the ballet. Clear articulation was a hallmark of the performance of this epic...
Claude A. Naar '01, a classical music fan who attended last weekend's HRO concert, said he disagrees with WHRB's decision...
...think most people who really, really wanted to hear the HRO concert already heard it. So I think it might be better to air the hockey game live and possibly reschedule the HRO concert," Naar said...