Springfield Symphony, Springfield, MA
May 7, 2016
by Michael J. Moran
In his “Rhodes’ Reflections” column in the program book, SSO
Music Director Kevin Rhodes noted that while “a musical evening in France was
the idea behind” this closing concert of the SSO’s 72nd season, “recent world
events in Paris” added poignancy to their performance on this program of
Faure’s Requiem, in which the maestro found the same “religiosity” and “Gallic
elegance” that Saint-Saens invoked on a much grander scale in his third
symphony.
In this quietest and most consoling of the great Requiems,
Faure depicted death as “a reaching for eternal happiness, rather than a
mournful passing.” The combined voices of the Springfield Symphony Chorus and
the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus joined the orchestra in a warm, reverent
account of the seven-movement piece, from the solemn opening “Introit and
Kyrie” to the exhilarating “In Paradisum” finale. Soprano Dana Lynne Varga sang
a radiant “Pie Jesu,” and baritone John Salvi was forceful in the “Offertorium”
and “Libera Me” sections.
 |
| Griffin McMahon |
Known as his “Organ Symphony” for the instrument prominently
featured in the second and last of its four movements, Saint-Saens’ third
symphony followed intermission in a sumptuous performance by the SSO and
organist Griffin McMahon. Without pause after the dramatic opening movement,
the organ enveloped the strings in a warm glow as they began playing the
ravishing main theme of the slow second movement. Again without pause after the
fleet third movement, a thunderous solo organ chord introduced the majestic
finale. Rhodes kept the organ in careful balance with the rest of Saint-Saens’
colorful orchestration, including a piano played by four hands in the last two
movements.
Longmeadow native McMahon was the star of the evening, also
accompanying the orchestra and vocalists in the Faure and seated throughout the
concert at an organ visibly positioned behind the violins at front stage left.
His playing style was enthusiastic but modest, and as a 22-year-old Juilliard
student with many New York performing credits on his growing resume, he looks
to have a bright musical future.
No orchestra could end a season more triumphantly than by
showcasing local talent at a world-class level.
