Blog: The Rhode Island Philharmonic: Hear the World in Providence 2100/2012
I always consider going to a dance or music concert, art exhibit, or play an EVENT…an exciting event…!!
You can either dress up or dress down
The opening night of the Rhode Island Philharmonic this season is no exception.
Everyone in their seats was so excited!!
Music director, Larry Rachleff, is in his 16th season with the orchestra, waving his baton and making sure the strings are in sequence and the horns in harmony.
Opening night began the first of eight concerts in the orchestra’s classical series.
This was entitled Rush Hour Concert Moscow.
On tap for opening night was Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat major, Opus 23.
Some background for us layman: Tchaikovsky composed his Piano Concert No.1 in November and December of 1874, and premiered it at the Music Hall in Boston of all places in 1875.
The score includes an orchestra of two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, a timpani and strings.
It plays like a lively Russian folk dance.
The orchestra never missing a beat with each other, the audience OR guest pianist IIya Yakushev from Russia.
Watching him perform and listening to this concerto was both mesmerizing and exhilarating.
His fingers on the keyboard flowed like a perfect waterfall….it was if he didn’t even touch the keys…this paragraph of awe comes from someone who was told NOT to come back to piano lessons…for lack of practice, among other things…so, anyone who can play like Yakushev is AWE INSPIRING ..Needless to say, he got several standing ovations!!! Well deserved. As did the full orchestra, well deserved!!! And Mr.Rachleff, well deserved!!
After intermission, we were treated to Symphony No. 1 in D (Titan) by Gustav Mahler…
Background: it was composed between 1887 and 1888 and originated as a five movement work called “Symphonic Poem.”
It alternates between spring awakening with sounds of nature, to folk music, some religious overtones, I thought I heard Klezmer music, then to symbols clashing…and the piece goes from innocent to the opposite.
Many die hard fans in the audience.
The man in front of me performed most of the symphony with his hands, not bad; at least he didn’t tap on the seat.
Overall, a beautiful night both inside and out.
Here’s to a great season!!
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