the mommy avenger

For better, or for worse, Disney’s well-know Fantasia movies significantly influenced the interpretation of many classical pieces; none more than George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Artists have to decide if they are going to follow the balanced standard set by conductor Bruce Broughton in Disney’s film, or if they are going to lean into the Jazz roots of the source material. 

Yet, before we got to the Jazz and the special guest artist: Marcus Roberts, Martin Jaffe, and Jason Marsalis of the Martin Robert’s Trio. 

The orchestra began with Igor Stravinsky’s Petruska. This piece is usually a concert finale. It is the symphony of what would become his ballet about a trickster puppet. He composed this piece before The Rite of Spring, and if you were scandalized by the brutal modernism of the latter piece, this ballet might be more palatable, but not by much. The same techniques and styles are in this piece, but more light and airy, building towards frenetically soaring program music (pieces that tell a story). 

The Russian folk background of this story was reflected well in the composer’s orchestration and performed with crisp clarity under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. If you listen to the recording broadcast, listen for the dramatic color the orchestra provides through their dynamic interplay within different sections. There was a lot going on through the entire piece. Watching the string section play with such speed and unity is an amazing sight. 

We did not know what to expect after intermission following such a dramatic piece. 

What would happen if Gordon Ramsey cooked a Pop-Tart? I am fairly confident it would be the greatest of that meal that I would ever eat, but it would still be a Toaster Pastry at heart. Having the Philidelphia Orchestra play Kurt Weill’s Symphony No. 2 is something like that. 

This piece could very well be the symphonic opposite of my favorite sweeping symphonies by Beethoven and Brahms. Jumping right into the themes with the subtlety of Thor’s hammer. The melodies were not displeasing, but they were introduced in ways that developed my appreciation for the structure. The first movement’s brashness led into a full march in the second movement, where I surprisingly found beauty in the unfamiliar harmonies (are those melodic or harmonic minors I hear?) 

Then the third movement proved to be the love child between the first two movements. Amid the piece, I found myself entertained by the fingering and absolute craftsmanship of the musicians as they moved together seamlessly. It may be something I should stop pointing out, but this orchestra plays at another level under Yannick’s direction. 

The concert to this point was performed flawlessly, though I would not likely program these works again if I were choosing the material. In that respect the first critics of these pieces and I agree. Modern professionals recognize the brilliance of these pieces, which is why they get paid to choose and I pay to listen. 

Fortunately, the concert’s final portion included a performance that will resonate in our minds and hearts long after this evening. 

Marcus Roberts is more than a Jazz performer, he is an accomplished composer mixing Jazz and classical styles. His group’s contribution to this evening’s performance cannot be overstated. The trio improvised throughout and over Grofé’s orchestration of Rhapsody in Blue in a manner that elevated the piece from a classical-first piece with jazz elements to a toe-tapping, crowd-pleasing, jazz-improvisation of a classical standard. It was a once in a lifetime experience to hear two top tier artists (the Philidelphia Orchestra and the Marcus Roberts Trio) collaborate in a free form approach that incorporated full improvisation with a symphony. 

The trio then played us an encore set of purely jazz pieces including “You Are One Of Us” and “Mac The Knife.”

For more once-in-a-lifetime moments, join us at Verizon Hall to watch cultural history unfold. 

If you cannot make it in person, check WRTI radio’s schedule to know which week they will stream this concert during their Sunday, 1 p.m. Philidelphia Orchestra program. 

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