Saturday, January 09, 1999
Brave music lovers warmly rewarded
BY JANELLE GELFAND
The Cincinnati Enquirer
On a night fit for neither man nor beast, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra associate conductor John Morris Russell saluted “the few, the brave and the music lovers” Friday night.
The question, “Would anyone come?” during the season's worst winter storm was answered by about 250 diehard classical music fans, to whom Mr. Russell promised to give “1,000 percent.”
Indeed, it was a concert to remember, whether for the excellent program Mr. Russell put together, or for the comraderie of sitting with those who had sloshed through slush to hear it.
Mr. Russell opened with Ravel's charming Le Tombeau de Couperin, originally a suite for piano. He took the Prelude at a brisk pace, eliciting an intoxicating lightness from the strings and delicate playing from the winds (kudos to oboist Richard Johnson).
The Forlane was elegant and clean, and the Menuet, with its muted, exotic trio section, had wonderful color. Mr. Russell's direction was both sensitive and confident; he clearly has an affinity for the French style. Let's hope we hear more of this repertoire from him.
Korean violinist Chee-Yun was the soloist in J.S. Bach's Concerto in D Minor, which is better known in its version for harpsichord. The music was a joy to hear, although the violinist seemed to be neither relaxed nor completely involved in it. (Perhaps using the score hindered her sense of freedom.)
After some initial rushing, she settled into the first movement in spirit ed dialogue with the Baroque-sized orchestra. She floated a sweet tone in the poignant Adagio. The finale was quick and vibrant, yet Chee-Yun's brilliant figuration was often labored.
Mr. Russell propelled the orchestra with well-chosen tempos and stayed with her perfectly. The performance was aided by fine continuo playing by harpsichordist Heather MacPhail. Many in the Music Hall audience (reported by the CSO as 1,104 tickets sold) stood in appreciation.
An exuberant reading of Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, Reformation, concluded the evening. Phrases were beautifully shaped, the ensemble was clean and Mr. Russell's tempos were brisk but never breathless.
The CSO played well for him, and the brass was round and balanced. A memorable point came in the slow movement, which flowed seamlessly into the familiar hymn of the finale, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
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