This evening at the Tivoli Theater, a nearly sell-out crowd heard the Chattanooga Symphony perform an emotional and uplifting concert that featured two works by masters of the orchestral literature.
The concert began with a deeply moving and heartfelt performance of the Cello Concerto by the early 20th century English composer, Sir Edward Elgar. The truly exceptional soloist was the young American cellist, Joshua Roman. He performed with passion and commitment, bringing out the melancholy, intimacy, and richness of this amazing work, and with a complete control of technique that was in every way equal to its considerable challenges. Conductor Kayoko Dan led the orchestra with nuance and flexibility. Especially impressive this evening was the ensemble's control and wide range of dynamics; the soft passages were quietly intense and the loud sections, full, strong and emphatic.
For an encore, Mr. Roman performed the Prelude from J.S. Bach's Suite No. 1, for unaccompanied cello. It was, quite simply, exquisite.
Heroic in scale and content, the Symphony No. 5 by the Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, concluded the concert. Although few if any in the audience may have realized it, this evening's performance took on added significance because this very day is the 128th Anniversary of the premiere of this composition, which was conducted by Tchaikovsky, himself, on November 17, 1888.
The CSO performed this epic work with fire and emotion. The soaring melodies that are so much a part of the mature Tchaikovsky style were a joy to hear. The outstanding horn soloist in the second movement was Principal Horn, Gordon James, who performed this famous solo with a rich sound and lovely phrasing.
With all of the tension in the world these days, experiencing music of this profound beauty served to remind many in the audience of our shared humanity, and reaffirms the truth that music truly is the universal language.
Review author Douglas Hedwig was a trumpeter with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City for 27 years and also was on the faculty of The Juilliard School. He is Professor Emeritus of Music at The City University of New York and his compositions are published by Carl Fischer Music and TNR Music Publishers. He and his wife, Mimi Jones Hedwig, moved to Chattanooga in 2013.