Philharmonic, soloists, hit new high
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Lou Kosma conducts the Vermont Philharmonic. Jim Lowe/Times Argus file |
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By Jim Lowe Times Argus Staff - Published: February 10, 2009
BARRE – Lou Kosma and the Vermont Philharmonic aimed for a symphonic sound in Sunday's concert – and, by Jove, they got it!
Vermont's oldest community orchestra, joined by soprano Lisa Jablow, marked its 50th season with a performance of Richard Strauss' "Four Last Songs" that was beautiful, moving and undeniably powerful. The concert at the Barre Opera House, as well as showcasing a new sound, introduced a fine young pianist who ably combined virtuosity and musical depth in the Ravel G Major Piano Concerto, and revisited a brilliant work by a Vermont composer.
The Strauss "Four Last Songs" is among the great works of the symphonic repertoire and a showcase for the soprano soloist's artistic maturity as well as well as her virtuosity. Lisa Jablow, retiring this year as a music professor at Johnson State College, proved her mettle vocally and artistically. With a very pliant line, she plumbed the depths of this work, with a quiet intensity or soaring above the full orchestra. Jablow's voice was brilliant in sound, but it was the repressed, seething passion that made this music live.
This late Strauss work demands as much virtuosity from the orchestra as its soloist. Jablow is a seasoned professional who has sung with New York City Opera, while many members of the Philharmonic are dedicated and passionate amateurs who find time to practice despite "day jobs" and families. But all that was forgotten Sunday, as Kosma and his players cohered into a ravishingly beautiful force that carried the soprano soloist though this powerful music.
In particular, first hornist Thea Calitri-Martin and concertmaster Susan Janes delivered their "naked" solos with flair. Sure, there were rough spots, and some that felt static, but this was likely the most powerful and performance by the Philharmonic in more than a decade.
The orchestra was no slouch in the devilishly difficult but colorful Ravel either. Seventeen-year-old Samantha Angstman, winner of the annual Jon Borowicz Memorial Scholarship and a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School, proved a fine pianist and a musician of depth in the first movement, allegremente, of the French Impressionist composer's G Major Concerto. Angstman comfortably played the virtuosic solo part with a glittering sound and a natural musicality. Her understanding of the music and sensitive collaboration with the orchestra made for a richly rewarding performance.
The Philharmonic commissioned Addison composer Jorge Martín to write "Toccata for Orchestra: City Lights, Country Sun," a tone poem reflecting the two worlds of the composer, for its 50th year, and is performing the eight-minute work at each of its concerts this season. This was the second, and the orchestra's familiarity has resulted in an open passion for the attractive and often striking work. Only during the middle did the performance's power wane a bit, but each performance reveals more and more what a fine piece of music this is.
The Philharmonic's new sound was also in abundance for Berlioz' colorful and moving "Hungarian March" from his "Damnation of Faust." Kosma and the Philharmonic have been working hard, endlessly challenging themselves. Sunday's concert (which was also performed at Johnson State College on Saturday) was the payoff – for the audience as well as the orchestra.