|
Please note: Throughout Classical New Jersey Society reviews some words are found preceded by an asterisk (*). This indicates that the word is defined or discussed in the IOW (In Other Words) section of our website. If you are looking for a special definition or discussion, click on the alpha-clickbar below or the actual word, if it is hyperlinked. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H-I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P-Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X-Y-Z |
Fresh Beethoven
Searching For connectionsSaturday, May 14, 2005
By A. Michael NollThe New Philharmonic of New Jersey, Leon Hyman (conductor), Adam Neiman (piano). All-Beethoven: Prometheus Overture, op. 43; Piano Concerto no.5, op. 73 ("Emperor");Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67. Community Theatre, Morristown.
In initial reaction to an all-Beethoven program, all I could think was "boring." But in the event, I was pleasantly surprised to hear old favorites freshly and excitingly performed.
Conductor Leon Hyman has a bent for exposing audiences to young talent. Pianist Adam Neiman is a graduate of Julliard who was awarded an Avery Fisher scholarship, along with many other honors. His stunning opening flourish in the "Emperor Concerto" was a pronouncement that this was going to be an exciting visitation with an old favorite, by turns furious and sweet. The orchestral accompnaiment under Hyman's direction was precise and deliciously harmonious.
In his introductory remarks to what for us is the "good old" Beethoven Fifth, Mr. Hyman reminded the audience that this work was revolutionary in its time and indicative back than of "new music for the future." Hyman also reminisced on when he first heard it as a teenager and reacted with "wow." Hyman's interpretation, conducted from memory, left me feeling "wow." The performance was brisk, with the timpanist using hard-headed sticks that gave a real punctuation to the sound. The audience responded at the end with a standing ovation to this old warhorse as if we had all heard it for the first time.
It seemed that everybody was looking for a unifying link to the pieces. In his pre-concert lecture, Dr. John Sichel mentioned the Napoleon connection; Hyman mentioned a visit with dear old friends; and I noticed the two fifths. But in the end, the real link was fresh performances, with the New Philharmonic of New Jersey sounding its very best.
A brochure was distributed announcing the next season in which we will be treated to some very exciting programming, including Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht, Suk's Serenade, Vaughan William's Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, Sibelius's Second Symphony, and an all Mozart concert in honor of his 250th birthday.