Symphony Hall, Springfield, MA
https://www.springfieldsymphony.org/
https://www.springfieldsymphony.org/
March 14, 2026
by Michael J. Moran
by Michael J. Moran
The SSO began this Women’s History Month concert by presenting their fourth annual “Fearless Women” awards to eleven local leaders who, the program notes, “have shaped our community through education, entrepreneurship, advocacy, philanthropy, public service, and community leadership.”Taiwanese-American conductor and SSO Artistic Advisor Mei-Ann Chen opened the program with the only orchestral work by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, older sister and musical mentor of her more famous brother Felix Mendelssohn. Chen led the committed players in a fiery account of the 1832 “Overture in C major,” whose fleet rhythms often resembled those of her brother but with a distinctive melodic invention all her own. Next came a colorful reading of George Gershwin’s 1925 “Piano Concerto in F major,” featuring American-born and internationally acclaimed pianist Claire Huangci, making a well-received SSO return engagement. Soloist and conductor hewed closely to the composer’s descriptions of all three movements: a “quick and pulsating” Allegro, in a “Charleston rhythm;” “poetic [and] nocturnal” in the haunting Adagio-Andante con moto, with two blues themes; and “an orgy of rhythms, starting violently and keeping to the same pace throughout” a fast-paced Allegro agitato finale. Huangci was a commanding and fluid soloist, Chen and the SSO offered nimble support, and trumpet player Phil Snedecor took a well-earned bow for his sultry Adagio solo.
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| Photo by Silver Photography |
The program closed with a thrilling performance of Mendelssohn’s 1842 third symphony, nicknamed “Scottish” because it chronicles the composer’s 1829 walking tour of Scotland. Chen gave an engaging introduction, reading vivid excerpts from the composer’s diary of his journey and leading the musicians in brief passages from each movement. She then conducted the orchestra without pause through an urgent Andante con moto-Allegro un poco agitato; a whirlwind Vivace non troppo; a flowing Adagio; and an exhilarating yet majestic Allegro vivacissimo-Allegro maestoso assai finale. Chen honored each section of the SSO with a separate group bow, all richly deserved. They are fortunate to have Chen’s charismatic leadership and boosterism for Springfield during this period without a music director.
Comments like “She has a joy about her” were common from appreciative concertgoers. The next SSO concert, on April 11, will feature music by Vivaldi, Poulenc, Ravel, and Gershwin, with the SSO chorus, soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine, and conductor Kedrick Armstrong.
