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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
(Symphony Website)
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director
James Conlon, Conductor and
Music Director Designate of Ravinia
Lynn Harrell, Cello
Performed at
at
Ravinia
(www.ravinia.org)
847.266.5100
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
August 8, 2004 The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has been in existence for 113 years. Its permanent home is Orchestra Hall, and its summer home is north of Chicago in Highland Park, Illinois, in an expansive performance park with picnic facilities and an enormous open-air pavilion, which is built with a protective roof for weather protection. There are additional, enclosed concert sheds and a sculpture collection to be enjoyed by the Ravinia visitors throughout the summer months. In addition to classical concerts, one may attend popular music and other performances, all detailed at www.ravinia.org.
Barber (1910-1981): Adagio for Strings (1938). The Adagio for Strings was first performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1938, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. There have been numerous arrangements of this Adagio for chorus, clarinet, woodwinds, and organ, among others. Samuel Barber grew up in Pennsylvania. (Program Notes).
This well-known Adagio, often heard on a variety of instrumentations, in addition to this all-strings arrangement, was an excellent choice to begin this evening’s inspirational concert. One could hear swelling violins merge into cellos, violas, bass, and then all strings as one sound. Conlon developed the repetitive and mesmerizing theme in an enchanting and existential manner.
Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 34 in C Major, K. 338 (1780): Allegro Vivace, Andante di molto, Allegro vivace. The score calls for bassoons, trumpets, timpani, oboes, horns, and strings. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s travels to Mannheim and Paris influenced his composition of this Symphony. It was considered at that time that the omission of the minuet movement was Parisian preference. (Program Notes).
In a pompous introduction, the violins carried the initial theme with dynamism and distinction. Horns and bassoons enhanced the Allegro Vivace movements in a brilliant display of musical strength. This is a highly structured, but fairly light work, with no particularly remarkable sequences. In this setting, however, this Mozart Symphony wafted through the pavilion in a pleasant blaze of prominence.
Dvoøák (1841-1904): Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104 (1896): Allegro, Adagio ma non troppo, Finale: Allegro moderato. While in New York in 1894-95, Antonín Dvoøák planned this work, while serving as Director of the National Conservatory of Music. At its premiere, Leo Stern was the chosen cellist. In the second and third movements, Dvoøák has included musical quotations in honor of the deceased Josefina, the object of his desire. Several of Dvoøák’s works are being presented by Ravinia this season, in honor of the centenary of his death. Lynn Harrell was principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra and has performed around the globe, including a concert at the Vatican. He has made more than 30 recordings and received two Grammys. (Program Notes).
Lynn Harrell is a master cellist, and to see him onstage tonight was a treat in itself. He throws himself passionately and physically into his music and openly relates to the Concertmaster and Conductor in focused connection. Harrell repeated the Allegro theme with a vivacious solo that was intermittently enhanced with orchestral power and edgy, racing violins. The Adagio was searing and soulful with seamless cello solos. Conlon showed total mastery of this grand Dvoøák work. A scintillating flute exuded lovely high notes, as well as successive deeper tones.
In the Finale, Harrell’s cello celebrated the rich, triumphant melody, prior to the orchestra’s wild finish. Kudos to Lyn Harrell, and kudos to James Conlon and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Tonight’s concert was performed in the memory of Keren-Or Bernbaum, a mezzo-soprano, who was a Founding Director of Opera Manhattan. She was honored tonight by Ravinia and by her parents, Harry and Harriet Bernbaum.
Jessie, Cellist and CSO Fan
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Ravinia Revelers
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Jessie at Ravinia Festival
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Roberta at Ravinia Festival
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Ravinia Festival
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Katinka Kleijn, CSO Cellist, and Jessie
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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