Wonderful experience at Blossom
Several weeks ago I spent a glorious evening at the Blossom Festival 2012. The evening started with Bartok’s popular Romanian Folk Dances, a brief set of six movements, was filled with varying styles and tempos.
Symphony No. 4 (“Tragic”) in c minor, D 41, was written when Franz Schubert was only nineteen. Despite this, the piece has continued to garner attention and praise. Played in a minor key, the symphony contains four movements, which vary from quiet to forceful.
Beethoven’s Coriolan Oveture, Opus 62, is one of the master’s Mid Period compositions. A musical drama, it is a portrait of Coriolanus, the Roman general who turned against his own city. It is filled with anger, gentleness, and finality.
Violin Concerto in D major, Opus 61, is Beethoven’s single violin concerto. It requires a master violinist, and, fortunately, American-Israeli Gil Shaham, well fits that description. The notes from the multi-award winner’s “Countess Polignac” Stradivarius thrilled the audience.
Beethoven’s Fifth, was conducted by the animated Jahja Ling. Considered by many to be one of the greatest symphonies ever written, the sounds of the fifth are familiar to almost everyone. The wonders of the composition were brilliantly performed by one of the world’s greatest orchestras.
What more delightful experience can one have than sitting in the midst of the beautiful Blossom grounds on a perfect summer evening, listening to the glorious Cleveland Orchestra, playing some of the world’s greatest music?
Haven’t been to Blossom this summer? There is still time to make the journey. How about August 25 to hear the Preservation Hall Jazz Band? Or September 1 and 2 which offers Broadway’s Greatest Hits as played by the Blossom Festival Orchestra.
For a list of the season’s remaining concerts go to http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/about/blossom-festival.aspx
