Joyful, passionate music rings in the New Year as Pacific Symphony welcomes Augustin Hadelich to perform to perform Tchaikovsky exquisite violin concerto.
Plus, guest conductor Leo Hussain leads the orchestra in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 and Takemitsu’s “Requiem” Written by a man who could express deep emotions with the sweetest singing musical lines, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is expressed through the hands of the extraordinary virtuoso Augustin Hadelich, who is praised for his poetic sensitivity and gorgeous tone, during Pacific Symphony’s first concert of the new year.
A star of his generation, Hadelich was featured on the cover of the May 2014 issue of Strings Magazine and is making an international presence across North America, Europe and Asia this season. The Symphony, led by guest conductor Leo Hussain, also performs Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, a piece of Nordic charm full of joyful energy.
Toru Takemitsu’s “Requiem,” of which the orchestra released a recording in 1998 under the baton of Music Director Carl St.Clair, opens the program with an innovative blend of Western and Eastern musical styles. The recording was released as a tribute to the composer who passed away in 1996.
I always enjoy the violin, because it is like a mellow guitar. The instrument is as transcendent as any major player tearing into a six-string axe. The music is the same and the mellow can relax you and take you to a dream like state.
This show, I found myself enjoy the music more with my eyes closed (not to say it was sleepy music), but I did not know need to see the stage, crowd, multiple decks of seats. I simply could enjoy my own space and time. The Violin truly puts you in the moment. It is not (or never) just the instrument. It is a musician who is baring his soul and obvious love of what he does. It is not an insult to say I had not heard this musician play, as the beauty of music is discovery. This applies to musicians everyone knows, “where you enter the musical space” is where you enter.
The real grace of music is, there is no right or wrong answer, music just is. I was very inspired as I left this show. It was a great way to kick off the new year that included a birthday I had the day before. I highly recommend seeing this musician or grabbing a CD when you can.
For the Love of Bernstein
Renee and Henry Segestrom Concert Hall
Jan. 29-31, 8 p.m.
