MUSIC
Bach, Brahms, & Beethoven
Presented by
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
at
Wiener Theater at Hutchison School
September 30, 2011
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Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
The Classic Accents Series opens with some of the most sublime music by the “Three B’s” — great composers whose lives spanned two centuries, but whose works reign over the entire classical world. This concert includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, and Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn, as well as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4.
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At-a-
Glance
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Venue Info
Wiener Theater at Hutchison School
1740 Ridgeway Road
Memphis, TN 39119
Full map and directions
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Admission Info
Tickets:
$39
Info Phone: 901-537-2525
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Dates & Times
Dates:
September 30, 2011
Times:
7:30 p.m.
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Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.
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Member Reviews
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Event Name: Bach, Brahms, & Beethoven
"Review by Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Oct 07, 2011
The 3 B’s
What could be better on a cool, autumn night
than sitting with a wonderful friend and taking in
delightful music? No, I’m not referring to a vinyl
listening party, but none other...
Expand
The 3 B’s
What could be better on a cool, autumn night
than sitting with a wonderful friend and taking in
delightful music? No, I’m not referring to a vinyl
listening party, but none other than the first Classic
Accents concert of the 2011-2012 Memphis
Symphony Orchestra season. The program? Only 3
of the greatest composers of western music: Bach,
Beethoven and Brahms!
Bach’s beloved Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
started the concert. As in the Opus One series, the
performers were standing (except for the cellos,
obviously) and playing without Maestra Chen. This
was quite risky and required the musicians to rely
on one another much more than usual. Except for
some slight intonation issues in the violas, this
piece was a huge success! The dancing
counterpoint and buoyant fugues were played with
great energy and rapid-fire speed. A special kudos
to concertmaster, Susanna Perry Gilmore for her
beautiful solo playing during the second movement.
To cleanse the palate of Baroque tastes,
Beethoven’s Overture to the Creatures of
Prometheus was ignited by Mei-Ann Chen. The
great pronouncement of the opening chords led us
through the gateway of Romanticism and brought
us to the feet of Johannes Brahms. While I am not
the biggest Brahms fan (hard to believe, huh?), I
truly enjoy his Variations on A Theme by Haydn.
The balance across the orchestra was nearly perfect
and the brass and wind sections were the stars, in
my ears at least!
Lastly, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 closed out
the night. I was very struck by the fact that Mei-Ann
had been conducting the entire concert from
memory thus far and didn’t need any relief from a
score. There are so many wonderful melodies in
this symphony, and the movements were performed
with great precision. The principal bassoonist,
Jennifer Rhodes, had given a brief introduction to
the symphony and brought our attention to an
extremely difficult solo that causes bassoonists to
tremble in Beethoven’s shadow. Fortunately for her,
she nailed it!
It seems as though this will be another
successful year for Maestra Chen and the MSO.
Looking over the season, I am very excited for the
music we will hear. See you at the concert hall!
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Event Name: Bach, Brahms, & Beethoven
"Review by Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Oct 07, 2011
The 3 B’s
What could be better on a cool, autumn night
than sitting with a wonderful friend and taking in
delightful music? No, I’m not referring to a vinyl
listening party, but none other...
Expand
The 3 B’s
What could be better on a cool, autumn night
than sitting with a wonderful friend and taking in
delightful music? No, I’m not referring to a vinyl
listening party, but none other than the first Classic
Accents concert of the 2011-2012 Memphis
Symphony Orchestra season. The program? Only 3
of the greatest composers of western music: Bach,
Beethoven and Brahms!
Bach’s beloved Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
started the concert. As in the Opus One series, the
performers were standing (except for the cellos,
obviously) and playing without Maestra Chen. This
was quite risky and required the musicians to rely
on one another much more than usual. Except for
some slight intonation issues in the violas, this
piece was a huge success! The dancing
counterpoint and buoyant fugues were played with
great energy and rapid-fire speed. A special kudos
to concertmaster, Susanna Perry Gilmore for her
beautiful solo playing during the second movement.
To cleanse the palate of Baroque tastes,
Beethoven’s Overture to the Creatures of
Prometheus was ignited by Mei-Ann Chen. The
great pronouncement of the opening chords led us
through the gateway of Romanticism and brought
us to the feet of Johannes Brahms. While I am not
the biggest Brahms fan (hard to believe, huh?), I
truly enjoy his Variations on A Theme by Haydn.
The balance across the orchestra was nearly perfect
and the brass and wind sections were the stars, in
my ears at least!
Lastly, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 closed out
the night. I was very struck by the fact that Mei-Ann
had been conducting the entire concert from
memory thus far and didn’t need any relief from a
score. There are so many wonderful melodies in
this symphony, and the movements were performed
with great precision. The principal bassoonist,
Jennifer Rhodes, had given a brief introduction to
the symphony and brought our attention to an
extremely difficult solo that causes bassoonists to
tremble in Beethoven’s shadow. Fortunately for her,
she nailed it!
It seems as though this will be another
successful year for Maestra Chen and the MSO.
Looking over the season, I am very excited for the
music we will hear. See you at the concert hall!
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