The temperature at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre rose
considerably Thursday night, owing to the sheer madness of the bowing of
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concertmaster Juliana Athayde, as the violin soloist
for Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Athayde attacked the score with a determination
to seize its glory, and, in doing so, she made each note sparkle, no matter how
fast, light, or quiet.
The setting for the RPO performance consisted of a “tiny”
orchestra of some 15 violins (including Athayde), five violas, four cellos, two
bass, and a harpsichord. I think of the “Four Seasons” as more of an intimate
work, designed to be performed in a far smaller setting than the 2,300-seat
Kodak Hall.
Thursday night, however, there was a powerful synergy
between Athayde and guest conductor JoAnn Falletta,
and their chemistry caused all the musicians to reach to keep up with the tempi
and wide dynamic range of the soloist and conductor. There was significant eye
contact, body language, and expression upon everyone’s faces, which reflected
the superb blend of sound and authentic interpretation.
Falletta holds numerous posts,
including as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Virginia Symphony Orchestra. She is also principal conductor of the Ulster
Orchestra in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She has nine Grammy nominations and two
Grammy awards to her name.
Athayde has been concertmaster of
the RPO since 2005. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the
Cleveland Institute of Music. She is an associate professor of violin at the
Eastman School of Music and a visiting teacher at the Cleveland Institute of
Music.
The first half of the program was also most enjoyable,
consisting of the “Capriccio sinfonico” by Giacomo Puccini and the Symphony No.
4 in A Major, Op. 90 (the “Italian”) by Felix Mendelssohn. Falletta
— without scores — conducted with her feet firmly planted on the podium and the
whole of her body emoting her directions to the
musicians. Everyone was so settled into the program that the audience let out
an audible sigh at the end of the Puccini.
The one comment I would have about the Puccini and the
Mendelssohn is this: the RPO has a further bit to give to these works. The
works were solid, but, I would argue, a smidge too comfortable. If on Saturday the
RPO can give Falletta in the first half of the program what it gave Falletta
and Athayde in the second half of the program, you will have a performance that
will put the gold star in the holiday sky.
The RPO performs the
same program Saturday, December 15, 8 p.m. at Kodak Hall. For more information
or tickets visit the RPO website.
This article appears in Dec 12-18, 2012.
