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First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Russian Masters

Presented by Memphis Symphony Orchestra at Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

September 18, 2010

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Celebrate a new era as Mei-Ann Chen makes her first appearance as Music Director on opening night.  She will lead Russian masterpieces including Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, the mesmorizing suite depicting tales from A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.  Markus Groh makes his Memphis debut performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, a work beloved by audiences since its 1875 premiere in Boston. Program: Shostakovich: Festive Overture, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

    255 N. Main Street
    Memphis, TN 38104

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    $15-$78

    Info Phone: 537-2525

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  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    September 18, 2010

    Times:
    

    8:00 PM

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    • Event Name: First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Russian Masters
      "Ah, Mother Russia: First Stop in the MSO’s “Journey of Discovery""
      Comment posted by: Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Sep 20, 2010
      

      In their first masterworks concert of the season, Mei-Ann Chen led the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a performance that would let the city finally know the musical depth their new fearless leader... Expand

      In their first masterworks concert of the season, Mei-Ann Chen led the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a performance that would let the city finally know the musical depth their new fearless leader possesses. Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov were the featured composers, with a guest appearance by the Whitehaven High School High Step Band and Markus Groh, pianist. Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, which Chen conducted from memory, was a great first choice for the evening. The energy that Mei-Ann was able to transfer from the orchestra to the audience was electric. The opening sixteenth note patterns were articulated with great clarity and the strings carried this precision into the pizzicato section. The orchestra displayed wonderful control of dynamics and by the end, the audience practically leapt from their seats to give an enthusiastic welcome to the new conductor. After a few words from the new director, the Whitehaven High Step Band packed the Cannon Center aisles. The band was a bit loud, and I saw more than one member of the orchestra plugging their ears to save their hearing for the remainder of the concert. However, the students played well, and we witnessed a display of Mei-Ann’s dedication to music in the schools and the MSO’s commitment to music education. After the students exited, the stage was set for the piece I was anxiously waiting to hear. My anticipation was finally realized as the opening bars of the work sounded. They were, however, not quite realized as thoroughly as I had hoped. The wonderful descending line in the introduction started with an unfortunate blunder from the brass section, and a similar mistake occurred during the second movement as well. Markus Groh, the soloist, did not seem well connected to the conductor and, to my ears, rushed ahead of the orchestra in a few places. The solo sections were played with great skill, but lacked the large, Russian heart that must be present in this work. The piece begs to be performed with a passion that would rival the Romanov family name. After a brief intermission, we returned to our seats for yet another beautiful work, this time from one of the Russian Five: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The orchestra was able to captivate the audience, not unlike the legendary Persian queen herself. The solo violin work of Susanna Perry Gilmore was mesmerizing as the eastern melodies were whirled over the audience in true captivating fashion. Chen, again conducting from memory, was able to plumb her deep knowledge of the score and bring out the many heart-rending passages that have caused this piece to become so beloved. As the music came to its sweet, tender end, we were left with a wonderful impression and a hunger for more great music to come. Next stop on the journey? The homeland, America! Collapse

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    • Event Name: First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Russian Masters
      "Ah, Mother Russia: First Stop in the MSO’s “Journey of Discovery""
      Comment posted by: Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Sep 20, 2010
      

      In their first masterworks concert of the season, Mei-Ann Chen led the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a performance that would let the city finally know the musical depth their new fearless leader... Expand

      In their first masterworks concert of the season, Mei-Ann Chen led the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a performance that would let the city finally know the musical depth their new fearless leader possesses. Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov were the featured composers, with a guest appearance by the Whitehaven High School High Step Band and Markus Groh, pianist. Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, which Chen conducted from memory, was a great first choice for the evening. The energy that Mei-Ann was able to transfer from the orchestra to the audience was electric. The opening sixteenth note patterns were articulated with great clarity and the strings carried this precision into the pizzicato section. The orchestra displayed wonderful control of dynamics and by the end, the audience practically leapt from their seats to give an enthusiastic welcome to the new conductor. After a few words from the new director, the Whitehaven High Step Band packed the Cannon Center aisles. The band was a bit loud, and I saw more than one member of the orchestra plugging their ears to save their hearing for the remainder of the concert. However, the students played well, and we witnessed a display of Mei-Ann’s dedication to music in the schools and the MSO’s commitment to music education. After the students exited, the stage was set for the piece I was anxiously waiting to hear. My anticipation was finally realized as the opening bars of the work sounded. They were, however, not quite realized as thoroughly as I had hoped. The wonderful descending line in the introduction started with an unfortunate blunder from the brass section, and a similar mistake occurred during the second movement as well. Markus Groh, the soloist, did not seem well connected to the conductor and, to my ears, rushed ahead of the orchestra in a few places. The solo sections were played with great skill, but lacked the large, Russian heart that must be present in this work. The piece begs to be performed with a passion that would rival the Romanov family name. After a brief intermission, we returned to our seats for yet another beautiful work, this time from one of the Russian Five: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The orchestra was able to captivate the audience, not unlike the legendary Persian queen herself. The solo violin work of Susanna Perry Gilmore was mesmerizing as the eastern melodies were whirled over the audience in true captivating fashion. Chen, again conducting from memory, was able to plumb her deep knowledge of the score and bring out the many heart-rending passages that have caused this piece to become so beloved. As the music came to its sweet, tender end, we were left with a wonderful impression and a hunger for more great music to come. Next stop on the journey? The homeland, America! Collapse

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