the mommy avenger

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s last season demonstrated their mastery of craft, interpretation, skill, and capacity to handle a wide breadth of repertoire. I would put that orchestra up against any other at any time in recorded history. 

We compared their recordings to the other major orchestras last year and strongly believe they were the best in the nation, and arguably western civilization. 

Are our expectations high for this year? Absolutely. We have come to expect the best from this group and their excellent home, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Arts.  The orchestra packed the house, as we found is more common this season as their reputation for quality continues to circulate. 

Tickets for opening night sold out before we procured tickets, so tonight’s performance provided our first listening of the new season. Did they already  peak, are they maintaining their high level, or is the trajectory still going up? We will reserve final judgment until later in the season. 

Let’s consider tonight’s programming. David Robertson took the baton (you may recognize him from his work with the Sydney Symphony, Saints Louis Symphony, and many Opera stagings). Experience matters. 

First, a piece by Esmail with Oboe soloist. The soloist started playing from the third floor balcony, which provided a  unique change of pace, as such surround sound approaches are more commonly employed by high school choirs. 

The piece moved along with its brass providing volume and the percussion section providing a continual cascade of unique sounds such as horse trotting, hasty mallet work, and bombastic drums. The piece itself was fine, but did not speak to my tastes, though my companion absolutely loved it, believing it felt like a romp through a forest with birds and wildlife. 

The conductor and orchestra synced together with precision from the beginning to the end of the evening’s performance, demonstrating fantastic control in both timing and volume. First impressions for this season are extremely positive. 

Second, Hayden’s Cello Concerto with in house soloist Hai-ye Ni. This piece showcased the string section’s master of unified bowing technique. Their precision gave the piece’s smooth runs a precision that often gets muddy when performed by less disciplined and talented individuals. My only wish was that Nai-ye Ni could have coaxed more volume out of her instrument as it nearly washed out when the rest of the orchestra joined in. There were no flaws in her playing. The interpretation was straightforward and lovely, even if it was not as robust as I prefer. Her choice of dress was likewise fantastic, a beautiful wine colored sequined and ribboned full- length gown. Very classy.  

Third, Beethoven’s 6th symphony. Full disclosure, this is my favorite of Beethoven’s symphonies with its light touch that takes me to far away fields and storms. I have listened to this piece more than any other symphony by more orchestras than I care to count. I know the piece like my own children. 

The performance of the symphony was  excellent. After the first two pieces I expected the piece to move forward with a very traditional and safe interpretation, yet Robertson added the urgency and forward-leaning pace that gives this piece the necessary edginess and fervor. 

Robertson’s command of the orchestra was second only to Yanick’s. I thoroughly enjoyed the exuberant, optimistic style he brought and his conducting character matched the pieces this evening wonderfully. 

If you want to know if you agree with this or other reviews about The Philadelphia Orchestra come out and listen! If that is not possible, you can listen to the past performances on WRTI 90.1 FM on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. eastern standard time and Monday evenings at 7 p.m. WRTI HD 2. Visit www.WRTI.org to listen live. 

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}