BWW Reviews: ALL BEETHOVEN - NJSO at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Beethoven's Coriolan Overture was originally written for the theatre. It was composed in 1807 for a performance, not of Shakespeare's Coriolanus, but of Heinrich von Collin's Coriolan. This is a dramatic piece of music with two themes one representing Coriolanus' resolve and war-like tendencies, while the more tender represents the pleadings of his mother to desist. The music is angular with deep chords illustrating angonized turmoil.

Played by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as seen on Sunday, June 7th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, conducted by Jacques Lacombe. The Coriolan Overture is a very short piece but seems more dramatic and substantial than many longer symphonies. Lacombe brought his own theatrical flair to the conducting building in a measure gradual manner underscoring the tight, concise form of the piece. The orchestra kayoed the staccato notes. There was a taut energy whose momentum seemed to carry through the beautiful lyrical passages and the more bucolic themes on the basses and cellos. The horns played with a respectful ear turned towards the flutes, a rapport which continued throughout the concert.

The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 - the Emperor - was Beethoven's last piano concerto. Soloist Marc-Andrew Hamelin played with utter delight and glee with regal touches. The piece opens with a long piano solo of majestic flourishes which captivate the listener. The orchestra mirrors the themes and Beethoven returns to them for the masterful conclusion of the piece. In tandem with the orchestra and conductor, Hamelin brought an energetic, smart performance with lovely resonance and gripping mastery of the charm of Beethoven's music.

The afternoon concluded with my first ever hearing of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony live. Sure we've all heard the electronic version from the 1970's but there is nothing like hearing it live from a real orchestra. This piece captivated my daughter who stood and conducted from her seat - luckily we'd moved further in the house to not annoy testy patrons around us. Classical needs a younger audience people, feel free to thank me for exposing her. But I digress...

This symphony is possibly the most well-know piece of western music in the world with the ridiculously famous opening four notes cascading through the hall. The work's lesser known middle movements were rendered with skillful, engaged performances and the orchestra emerged energized into its final, regal movement. Hearing it live the piece thrills - no matter how often it's performed. With its building repetitions and dramatic notes, the music moves us in ways that the more genteel music of other composers doesn't. How many other symphonies do people leave the hall humming?

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