SYMPHONY REVIEW
Vivaldi's familiar opus no test for artist
By Gregory Shepherd
Advertiser Classical Music Critic
This weekend's Honolulu Symphony program has moments of real charm and excitement but is, overall, something of a disappointment. Friday night's concert featuring guest violinist Adele Anthony went smoothly enough, but the pieces themselves are either overplayed or just plain boring.
With violinist Adele Anthony, part of the Halekulani MasterWorks season 4 p.m. today Blaisdell Concert Hall $15-$57 792-2000
Anthony opened with what has to be about the billionth or so orchestral rendition of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" and, although she played it beautifully, the work is not that much of a challenge for an artist of her caliber.
Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons'
Vivaldi originally wrote the piece for the girls high school he taught at in the early 18th century, and its running scalar passages, tremolos and the like would be impressive coming from such a student. But Anthony is a rising star on the world stage and capable of far more. One longs to hear her perform the Brahms or Dvorak contributions to the concerto genre, but, as with the other solo violinists this symphony season, she instead gives us far lighter fare.
Actually four separate concerti, "The Four Seasons" opens with a tune that is instantly familiar owing to its use in various movie scores and TV commercials. Anthony's deft touch invested it with a real sense of joy, and guest conductor JoAnn Falletta kept the small string orchestra at just the right volume to blend with the soloist. Both Anthony and Falletta gave the sunny opening a drive and propulsion that never seemed rushed.
Other highlights included the lovely adagio in the autumn section and the "Country Dance" of the spring section. Excellent solo work was contributed by cellist Andrew Eckard.
The music of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) must surely be chock-full of all sorts of charms and delights, since he still has such a wide fan-base. However, I regret to say that all such charms and delights have always been completely lost on me. The composer is said to have captured the true spirit of his homeland in his works — and if that is the case, Finland must be something like Duluth, Minn.
Falletta conducts Symphony No. 1 in E minor from memory and elicits some fine solo work and ensemble blend from the large orchestra. James Moffitt's opening clarinet solo was a study in musicality and sensitivity of phrasing, while Stuart Chafetz's straight-forward timpani work in the third movement gave the section a nice sense of shape. At the end of the performance Falletta also singled out trumpeter Michael Zonshine and the entire French horn section.
Although boring, the program at least has the benefit of not including any bad movies, as was the case earlier in the month. Thank heaven for small blessings.
Gregory Shepherd has been The Advertiser's classical music critic since 1987.
