Chattanooga's Tivoli Theater was filled to near capacity on Thursday evening to hear the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra perform a varied and highly engaging program that featured one of the most enduring and popular works of the orchestral repertoire, "Scheherazade, Opus 35" by the 19th century Russian composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
Also featured on the concert was Frédéric Chopin's "Concerto No. 1 in E Minor for Piano and Orchestra," performed with energy and sensitivity by prize-winning piano soloist Stanislav Khristenko.
"Scheherazade" is loosely based on a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic and known in the West as the "Arabian Nights." The four thematically integrated movements musically recount classic Oriental stories of romance, adventure and mystery.
This work is an orchestral tour de force, and the CSO delivered an impressive performance that did justice to the creative achievement and skill of one of the most beloved composers of all time. Rimsky-Korsakov, ever the supreme orchestrator, outdoes himself in this composition. With his highly idiomatic writing for, and deep understanding of, the unique characteristics of musical instruments - alone and in different combinations - he creates a sonic world.
It's one of the big reasons why musicians love to play his music. His music "lies well" for each instrument, allowing the players to sound their best. In "Scheherazade," Rimsky-Korsakov composed many wonderful solo passages for the principal players in different instrumental sections that clearly showcase their unique sounds and characteristics.
In fact, central to the musical storyline in this work is the solo violin, which represents the voice of the principal character, the Sultana (wife of the sultan) named "Scheherazade." CSO Concertmaster Holly Mulcahy's truly extraordinary performance in the many solo violin passages were played with all the lithe, alluring and sensuous qualities that Rimsky-Korsakov intended. Often these solos were accompanied by solo harp, beautifully and intelligently performed by Caroline Brown Hudson.
Another soloist of particular note was bassoonist Eric Anderson, whose expressive playing brought out the improvisatory quality of the music.
Music Director Kayoko Dan, who once again led the orchestra with control and awareness, nonetheless wisely chose to suspend control at key moments, allowing the individual soloists to perform as they felt inspired in the moment.
At the conclusion of "Scheherazade," the audience erupted with energetic and extended applause. Without question, this was the most enthusiastic response to a performance of the CSO this entire season.
The other work on the evening's program was Chopin's "Concerto No. 1 in E Minor for Piano and Orchestra." Composed in 1830 when he was just 20 years old, it was first performed in his native Poland with the composer as soloist. The outstanding soloist for this evening's performance was the Ukrainian-born pianist, Stanislav Khristenko. Winner of the 2013 Cleveland International Piano Competition, he performed with extraordinary focus on detail, nuance and Chopin-like virtuosity.
The second movement was especially moving and effective, with its beautiful and nuanced melodies sensitively interpreted by Khristenko. I have rarely heard more effective and expressive soft and delicate playing from a pianist. And his performance of the technically demanding and often thunderous final movement was in every way impressive as well.
Prior to the Chopin work that opened the program, presentations were made celebrating the recent retirement of CSO Executive Director Molly Sasse French, who for nearly nine seasons led the orchestra through challenging times, new initiatives and growth. Sasse French warmly received gifts and emotional thanks from current Executive Director Samantha Teter, Maestra Dan and orchestra players' representatives. In honor of Sasse French's birthday, the audience was treated to an impromptu, if somewhat "unconventional," rendition of "Happy Birthday" by the orchestra.
This was the final concert of the season for the CSO. We are already looking forward to next season's offerings.
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 musical compositions are published by Carl Fischer Music and TNR Music Publishers. He and his wife moved to Chattanooga in 2013.