SSO LOOKS AT DARK AND LIGHT SIDES OF ROMANCE IN VALENTINE’S CONCERT
Love takes many forms, and the Saskatoon Symphony explored the many nooks and crannies of romance — while avoiding cliché — in its Tainted Love event.
The first two pieces of the night had the youthful enthusiasm of a summer fling. The opening overture, Berlioz’ Roman Carnival, saw members of the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra join the players. The additional musicians made even the warm up seem especially robust and welcoming for crowds escaping -40 C weather on Saturday night.
Musical Director Eric Paetkau had high praise for the way the young musicians were prepared for this performance, and had special accolades for the fine work of SYO director and SSO principal bass Richard Carnegie. The crowd also rewarded the effort with a standing ovation.
Even after the SYO players left the stage, the spirit of exuberance was carried on with the Youth Overture by Airat Ichmouratov. The composer has been quoted as saying he wanted to capture the magic of a first kiss with this piece. The performance was duly sweet and spirited.
The third and final piece of the first half was a departure from the lighthearted nature of the first two selections. Distant Light by Peterson Vask takes some dark, dissonant turns.
Dynamic and dramatic, the concerto features three solos for violin. Guest soloist Andrea Tyniec’s talent shone here in a determined and driven performance. She dove into the challenging piece, pushing back the skirt of her heavy velvet dress occasionally, as if to clear any impediments out of her way. From the first high, searing notes, she was moving and captivating listeners.
Tyniec has been racking up honours around the world, and is known for championing modern works. In this performance, she accomplished her mission of winning over the Saskatoon audience to this concerto that premiered in North America in 2013.
Some might say the carefree initial pieces were mismatched in combination with the Vask selection, but this is decidedly not the case. Instead, the contrast between the sweet and the sour, the joy and the pain, was satisfying. After all, love has both the thrill of the new, and the possibility of heartache. This Valentine’s concert had both.
After intermission, a musical interpretation of the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Written as a ballet, the music was effective in enticing the audience to move. From the opening bars, crowd members could be seen nodding their heads with familiarity and enjoyment.
The piece is known for its “tortured” history, as Prokofiev was the target of pressure and persecution in Stalinist Russia. The audience was, however, feeling no pain as they took in some grand, lyrical moments in the SSO’S playing of the work.