TrulyGrace

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra--Kavakos

Last night my friend Anjali from choir and I went to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, with Leonidas Kavakos as the visiting violinist, and Andres Cardenes as concertmaster. The orchestra played Liszt's Orpheus, Tchaikovsky's Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35, and Respighi's Metamorphoseon Modi XII and his Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome). Kavakos accompanied the orchestra on the dramatic Tchaikovsky piece, and performed so vigorously on his Stradivarius that for the final Allegro Vivacissimo, the catgut on his bow was fraying. The Pines of Rome were written and performed so visually, so painterly that they were reminiscent of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Noseda conducted energetically throughout the evening.

We saw other choir members during intermission, including Jessica, Mary Ann, and her husband Bob. We were all spellbound by the performance that night, and ready to hear the Respighi portion of the program. The evening was absolutely enchanting, from the music, to the performers, to the winter garden bedecked in light during intermission.

posted by Grace @ 11/13/2005 10:28:00 AM