Word: shostakoviches
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...FIRST concert in the 1976-1977 season of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra almost requires two different reviews. The HRO, conducted by James Yannatos, put together a program of Berlioz, Shostakovich, and Brahms on Saturday night with greater fluency and strength than they have exhibited in several years. However, what really packed Sanders Theatre to overflowing proportions was the trio of pianist Richard Kogan, violinist Lynn Chang, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who performed on what must be described as a musical level comparable to the world's best...
...hopes were soon dashed by the performance of the Shostakovich Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10, which followed. The Shostakovich, composed in 1926, is enormously demanding, both because its ambience is unpredictable and puckishly cynical, and because all the orchestral parts are so exposed. Clearly, from a musical standpoint, this was the wrong choice for HRO; the strings were so busy finding the notes that the work's petulant power fell by the wayside. In particular, concertmaster Michael Harris showed little aptitude for his post, combining lackluster solos with bowings that evidently left the first violins non-plussed...
...monument at Babi Yar, but his plan was forestalled by Stalin's anti-Semitic drives. Even after Khrushchev himself took power in Moscow, Babi Yar remained a refuse-strewn wasteland. Poet Yevtushenko was fiercely rebuked for singling out Jews as victims of the massacre. So was Composer Dimitri Shostakovich, who made Babi Yar a theme of his 13th Symphony. Soviet Jews seeking to commemorate the massacre's anniversary have been jailed by local police...
...good friends like you." His interests range far beyond politics. He is well read; his favorite authors include James Agee, William Faulkner and Dylan Thomas, though most recently Carter has concentrated on politics, philosophy, history, foreign affairs, taxation policy and the like. His tastes in music range from Dmitri Shostakovich to Dylan. While politicking, his energy and concentration are legendary. Campaigning recently in Mississippi, he shook the hand of a department-store mannequin. He recovered gracefully by quipping to an aide: "Better give her a brochure...
That night, I was treated to a stunning performance by the soon-to-be-definitive Yo-Yo Ma. I found myself engulfed by his confidence, capabilities and professionalism. His handling of Shostakovich's composition was stupendous, to say the least, and I left the concert feeling completely invigorated. For that, I shall ask you to extend to him my congratulations and thanks. It appeared at the time that Yo-Yo Ma's performance was doubly impressive, first for this excellent solo and, second, because of his abilities in rising above the handicap of Mr. Neal Stulberg's horrid performance...