Springfield Symphony, Springfield, MA
February 2, 2013
by David Chivers
From her opening notes in the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto,
19-year-old violinist Caroline Goulding grabbed hold of both the piece and the
audience, and didn’t let go, giving a lively, engaging performance that belied
her youth. Not surprisingly, she displayed technical brilliance (not
surprising, because why else would someone so young even be asked to solo in
such piece.) What was even more rewarding though was the emotion and maturity
that enveloped her playing. She not only ripped through the quick and tricky
runs and high trills, but also brought deep, sonorous sounds and mood from the
lower, quieter moments of the piece. Playing a Stradivarius, she used the full
capabilities of the instrument to fill Symphony Hall with the beautiful strains
of this violinist’s masterpiece. Her tone was remarkable, her interpretation of
the Mendelssohn both strong and subtle.
Goulding, dressed in a deep blue gown, created an engaging
physical presence to her performance as well, leaning forward in the melodious
moments, dipping and bending in the energetic passages, seemingly at one with
the music and her reading of it. And the audience responded to her performance
with a well-deserved standing ovation.
The Springfield Symphony’s program to bring young, vibrant,
emerging artists to play with them is shown to be a wise strategy, allowing the
artist a chance to perform with a professional orchestra, and giving
Springfield audiences a chance to hear soloists destined to be international
stars in the near future.
The other two pieces on the program, the short Bach air to
begin the night, and after intermission, Mozart's Symphony No. 41 (“Jupiter”)
-- a masterwork with melodies familiar to even the casual classical fan. A
strong orchestra can make even mediocre pieces sound good. A mediocre orchestra
can be carried through a performance by the strength of proven masterwork. So
when a wonderful orchestra such as the Springfield Symphony plays wonderful
music, such as here, it’s easy to just sit back and have its beauty wash over the
audience while barely noticing the skill and adeptness of the playing. It is a
credit to the Orchestra (especially its marvelous string section featured
throughout) and Maestro Rhoades that these classics roll out with seeming
effortlessness. The pieces provided excellent bookends to a wonderful night of
music.
