The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra presented two acknowledged masterpieces of musical art Thursday to the delight of a large and appreciative audience in the Tivoli Theatre. Included on the program were Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61, by Ludwig van Beethoven and the majestic Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms. Also on the program was CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan’s arrangement of the final movement of J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 150.
A performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto must always be considered an event of major significance for both the virtuoso soloist and the concert organization. It is the most performed and recorded work in the violin repertoire. Indeed, this occasion marked the 10th time it has been performed by the Chattanooga Symphony.
When one considers the number of worthy concertos in the orchestral literature composed since the creation of that musical form nearly 350 years ago in Bologna, Italy, one might question the need for programming yet another performance of the Beethoven. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Hearing a fine orchestra like the CSO perform music of this enduring quality and vitality in our city is rather like having the opportunity to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa on display in the Hunter Museum of American Art. In fact, no matter how many recordings of this work one may have heard, there simply is no substitute for directly experiencing the scale, color, texture, energy and “authenticity” of hearing music of this quality in live performance.
The outstanding soloist for this occasion was the French-born violinist Arnaud Sussmann. Winner of several international competitions, Sussmann trained at the Paris Conservatory and the Juilliard School. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is considered among the most important of his works, with considerable technical and musical challenges for any soloist, and Sussmann proved equal to the task. He presented a thoroughly engaging and intelligent performance that balanced restrained clarity with dramatic passion.