Saturday, April 24, 1999
Jazzy soloist shines as CSO alters image
BY JANELLE GELFAND
The Cincinnati Enquirer
“Pretty cool stuff,” said a young man at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra concert Friday night.
Indeed, the CSO seems to be trying on a new image. There was jazz in Music Hall's lobby (the superb Cal Collins Trio), Gershwin's jazzy Concerto in F, performed by the French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, an accessible world premiere and an all-Respighi second half.
It all made for a palatable, if uneven program (uneven partly because of a program change to accommodate a Respighi recording).
Clearly the evening's star, Mr. Thibaudet possesses a phenomenal technique and a penchant for red socks. Gershwin's Concerto in F explodes with brilliant octave runs, crashing chords, rhythmic intricacies and great Gershwin tunes — all of which the pianist handled with panache and style.
From his opening theme, he consistently balanced playful, jazzy moments against the lush, lyrical ones. A high point came in the second movement, with its languid blues theme stunningly introduced by trumpeter Phil Collins.
Mr. Thibaudet brought the work to a brilliant finish — and the crowd of 1,713 jumped to its feet. It was mostly a one-sided performance, though, for conductor Jesus Lopez-Cobos never grasped the jazz idiom, and never looked at the soloist. Consequently, the orchestra lacked life and often swamped the pianist.
The opener was an attractive work by Robert O. Johnson, head of the music library at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Autunnale for Oboe, English Horn and Orchestra highlighted the considerable talents of two CSO principal players, oboist Richard Johnson and English hornist Robert Walters. Their winding theme had an exotic flavor, set against undulating strings and subtle orchestral colors.
Like many of today's works, Autunnale was sectional, coloristic and vaguely tonal. Its neo-Impressionistic moods were balanced with beautiful, Respighi-like colors. Once, tremolo strings evoked rustling leaves.
Mr. Lopez-Cobos concluded with Respighi's Overture to Belfagor and Metamorphoseon, the latter a set of variations on a chant-like theme.
The CSO repeats at 8 p.m. today. Tickets: 381-3300.
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