Saturday, March 20, 1999
CSO warms up here for Carnegie Hall
BY JANELLE GELFAND
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is taking one of its most ambitious programs of the season to Carnegie Hall Monday.
In a concert preview at Music Hall Friday, three lengthy and very different works conducted by music director Jesus Lopez-Cobos added up to a long evening. Fortunately, Strauss' Ein Heldenleben, which came last, is a cornerstone of the CSO's repertory, and the few rough edges should be smoothed out by Monday.
The program opened with Millennium Dances, an orchestral suite by Joel Hoffman, professor of composi tion at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The 35-minute work, commissioned by Mr. Lopez-Cobos for his 10th anniversary with the CSO and given its premiere last season, is an eclectic pastiche in six movements.
Its different styles traverse from Stravinsky-like neoclassical textures to great, glimmering Respighi-esque orchestrations. In between are movements devoted to rag, blues and even a flirtation with a Bach invention.
The dances are well-crafted and engaging, although some moments border on cliche. The composer has made refinements, which made textures cleaner. The work was enhanced by excellent wind playing, and some wonderful piano runs by Michael Chertock stood out.
Cellist Lynn Harrell, who once served on the faculty at CCM (1971-75), was soloist in Lalo's brooding Cello Concerto in D Minor. Mr. Harrell is a committed, intense performer who summoned a stunning, big tone from his Jacqueline du Pre Stradivarius.
His fast movements had spontaneity and vigor, and the central Intermezzo was full of charming personality. But his lower register was a bit rough, and his playing seemed less refined than usual.
He treated the audience of 1,247 to a rare encore: Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major.
The evening concluded with Strauss's magnificent tone poem, Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life). Mr. Lopez-Cobos conducted from memory, reveling in the string sonorities, the long-arched melodies and the great brass-laden climaxes.
Although the playing was not as immaculate as it could be, there were many excellent soloists, importantly concertmaster Timothy Lees. His tone was sweet and his phrasing warm and controlled in his lengthy solo as the Hero's Wife.
The CSO repeats at 8 p.m. today. Tickets: 381-3300.
Mason team shows what girls can be
Mason goes north, nuts
Man fatally shot by police
Suit over shooting to go forward
Downtown parking rates going up; no end in sight
Space for car to cost more
Amazon comes to aquarium
Cincinnati schools' year may get longer
Police report new evidence in '97 death of UC student
Taft firm on budget priorities
CSO warms up here for Carnegie Hall
'Sleeping Beauty' benefits from a bit of editing
Spring gets a sunny jump out of starting gate today
Early brain function stressed
Health event kicks off; women urged to cop attitudes
Jury clears man of Pleasant Ridge attack
Lucas raps both parties on budget
Marshal's honor lacks descendants
Merger worries Boone Co. police
New law on murder has judge confused
TRISTATE DIGEST
