CENTERblog

A Few Notes From the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
by Hannah Swanson- West High School

An astounding night of music, sponsored by Wells Fargo, filled the Performing Arts Center Saturday night. The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Randall Craig Fleischer, played three symphonies, one being a world premiere. Another special element was a guest violinist Chee-Yun. The orchestra played nothing short of excellent synchronized strings, and strong percussion.

The first symphony was composed by Alexandra du Bois. Named Fanfare the piece was reminiscent of the Middle Ages, with a strong trumpet call at the beginning, commanding the ears of the audience. The middle of the movement slowed and became more sorrowful with strings being the focus. The movement closes with a more jubilant feeling, the strings and brass playing together, although the brass did overpower the softness of the strings, on the final notes. “I was compelled to bring a reference of…hope for the peace the 21st Century holds for all of us,” said du Bois in the program notes. A worthy ovation was awarded to du Bois when she walked out on stage after her piece was performed.

The second symphony, Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, introduced the guest artist Chee-Yun. The Anchorage Orchestra took the corps of the music while Yun took the lead with her angelic finger work. The lightness and speed of the first two movements were similar to that you would hear at Queen Elizabeth’s garden party. The third movement was more of a solo for Yun, as she executed the sorrow notes with not only technical beauty, but psychically showed her feeling while she played. She swayed back and forth, her purple silk dress moving effortlessly, like her arm holding the bow. After the third movement Yun and the orchestra received yet, another standing ovation. To please the audience Yun came back onstage and performed an encore piece full of fast plucking, and several staccatos that showed the true talent of this wonderful guest violinist.

The third and final symphony was, Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op.47. The composer of the piece, Dmitri Shostakovich, wrote this for his second opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District. Joseph Stalin, himself, came to the show in 1936, but stormed out in a rage of the dark and depressing theme. Indeed the persona of the strings was dramatic, high pitched notes, with the bass drum beating intensely in the background. The musicians faces stared intently at their music stands, the bows of the violins and cello’s moving up and down like a marching army. The piece closed with cymbals crashing, and the conductors hand slowly lowering as the violins faded.

The night was full of storytelling thru the notes of the the musicians on stage. The conductor lead them beautifully, his face smiling out to the last standing ovation of the night. Having been my first symphony I recommend to keep an eye out for more upcoming performances, the journey will be memorable for all ages.

ASO Classic Concert
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Atwood Concert Hall