Tanglewood, Lenox, MA
July 29-30, 2017
by Michael J. Moran
Regular guest conductors always bring a special excitement
to Tanglewood, especially when they’re accompanied by world-class vocal and
instrumental soloists. All this and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus made for two
memorable concerts over the past weekend.
On Saturday evening suave Swiss-born maestro Charles Dutoit
opened his program with Stravinsky’s early “Chant Funebre,” written in memory
of his teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov, after the latter’s death in 1908, then lost
until rediscovered only in 2015. The BSO and Dutoit presented a somber, intense
performance of this dark-hued twelve-minute elegy.
A virtuosic rendition of Ravel’s “Piano Concerto for the
Left Hand,” commissioned in 1930 by Viennese pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who had
lost his right arm in World War I, showcased the protean technical and
interpretive skills of French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard.
The Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the Choral Arts Society of
Washington Youth Choir, tenor Paul Groves, and organist James David Christie
joined the orchestra and conductor on a very full stage for a riveting account
of Berlioz’s massive “Te Deum.” The six movements of this fifty-minute
ceremonial hymn of praise alternate between grand and hushed tones. Groves sang
the quiet fifth movement with lyrical plangency, and Dutoit led the assembled
forces with power, color, and precision.
On Sunday afternoon jovial Canadian maestro Bramwell Tovey
was joined by soloist Pinchas Zukerman in a relaxed yet bracing presentation of
Beethoven’s mighty violin concerto. Clearly at home with the piece and at ease
with the musicians, Zukerman brought warmth to the long opening “Allegro,”
tenderness to the central “Larghetto,” and romping high spirits to the closing
“Rondo.” Tovey’s rapport with the BSO elicited playing of deep emotion and
finesse.
Ryan Speedo Green |
Perhaps the most astonishing performance of the entire
weekend was that of rising African-American bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as
the blazing soloist in Walton’s dramatic oratorio “Belshazzar’s Feast.” For
such a young singer (he’s 31), Green has exemplary breath control, and the stunning
power of his sound must be heard in person to be believed. Tovey, along with
the orchestra, chorus, and soloist, made this gripping score sound as fresh as
if it had been written yesterday.