Russian Night with Midori

I've always loved Russian classical music. I love its exuberance...so soulful, passionate and expressive.

And it was an all Russian programme (except the encore) on 23 April, with works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. This was my first time sitting in the Gallery (area behind the orchestra) as the other seats were already sold out by the time I bought my tickets. I could bask in the illusion that I was part of the orchestra, and a second violinist at that. Haha! Actually, I was more concerned with how well I will be able to receive the sound being seated as such.

As it was also a Goh Keng Swee Memorial Concert, there was a special addition (Rachmaninov's Vocalise) to the original programme to dedicate the concert to Dr. Goh, who was instrumental to the formation of the SSO as the founder. It's been almost a year since he passed on and with that, the concert was opened.

Being Easter weekend, it was not a surprise that the Russian Easter Festival Overture was chosen. These two pieces were a fine lead-up to the feature of the day, Midori's rendition of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major. I've heard a lot about Midori and was very expectant of what I would hear that night. And she did not disappoint.

Known for its technical demands, Midori tackled the concerto with great proficiency. Although I could only see her back view from where I was, one can't miss the precision and great control. Every note played had their own power in them and even the soft notes were clear and sharp, yet not overpowering. I literally held my breath whenever she was tackling such notes for fear of breaking the moment (ok, I might be exaggerating). On top of that, she plays with such feeling that it rings in our hearts. I especially loved the soulful second movement Canzonetta (Andante). Only thing was that I wished I could have seen her expression and a clearer view of her playing, and of course, being at the back, some of the sound projection would have been lost.
The encore, if I heard what she said correctly, was the Prelude (and Fugue?) to Sonata No. 1 in G minor by Johann Sebastian Bach (I'm very bad at recognising pieces). Nice.

autograph signing during intermission

The second half of the concert heard the SSO playing Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 3 in A minor. After the long earlier half (at least an hour), I felt it was a rather long piece for me that night. But I could hear the conflict between Rachmaninov's nostalgia and bravado, as the programme notes suggested, as each theme was explored by the SSO consistently through the 3 movements. I liked the ending where "...in the end it is the mood of bravado which brings the Symphony to its exciting if slightly ambiguous conclusion".