Cellist Enrico Dindo who dazzled TSO audiences in 2006 with the two Shostakovich Concertos returns with another masterpiece of twentieth century Russian music: Sergey Prokofiev’s thrilling Sinfonia concertante. Peter Oundjian has paired it with American composer John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 2. This Pulitzer Prize-winning work for string orchestra was hailed by the Chicago Tribune for its “coruscating power, eerie beauty and sheer inventive fantasy.”
Bernstein: Candide Overture
Prokofiev: Sinfonia concertante for Cello and Orchestra
John Corigliano: Symphony No. 2 for string orchestra
I love stringed instruments. The cello isn’t my favourite instrument, but it was still good. The price was certainly right, too, at $6!
During the concert, my mind wandered too much, and I discovered that it was easier to focus and enjoy the music by leaning forward and watching the motions of the musicians. Particularly for the violins (large, frenetic motions), it was invigorating to watch the orchestra move as a group.
The third piece, Symphone No. 2, was particularly striking. It was originally prepared as a farewell tour piece for a string quartet. In the first movement, the piece makes use of drawn out, pregnant silences, connected with muted whisperings from the violins; quite enchanting
The first movement was, however, marred by coughing from several people throughout. It’s summer, how can they be sick? 
The other four movements were quite good, though it was mostly the first movement that made the most striking impression. I certainly liked this piece better than its precendent with the cello.
I have a fondness for violins, and Symphony No. 2 certainly put them through its paces. It also gave me an opportunity to reflect on why I liked the violin so much. I decided that it was for its “pure and sweet sound”, long solid notes, frenetic fast-changing notes, and pitch like a women’s choir.
There’s another violin concerto this weekend, with pieces from Bach and Tchaikovsky. I’m looking forward to it, I hope it fits in my calendar!
