Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Sibelius Concert

            Last Saturday night on February 23, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO), under the direction of conductor Justin Brown, performed a Sibelius concert at the Alys Stephens Center. In addition to the Sibelius pieces, the symphony also performed two lesser-known works.  Daniel Szasz, the ASO’s concertmaster, executed brilliantly as the lead for Finzi’s Violin Concerto, which was followed by renowned tenor Nicholas Phan’s performance of Britten’s “Les Illuminations.” However, the definite highlight of the night was Sibelius’s 6^th and 7^th Symphony.

            Sibelius’s 6^th symphony opened up the concert by establishing the pastoral theme that would continue throughout the night.  Throughout the 6^th, the strings would shift between an elegiac legato to a sprightful staccato. The shifts in dynamics and articulation created an impression of seasonal change. The drawn out notes mimic the pounding of harsh winter winds while the bright interludes are reminiscent of spring and summer. The ASO does a brilliant job in conveying these elements throughout the performance. Brown successfully draws out of his musicians the emotive colors that made the experience one that was uncannily akin to witnessing the impressionistic works of Monet and Sisley.

            Following Sibelius’s 6^th was Finzi’s Violin Concerto and Nicholas Phan’s libretto. Daniel Szasz’s performance shone during the concerto with an intensely emotive quality of a fragile yearning. However at times, Szasz failed to pierce through the rest of the orchestra, creating a muddled sound. Despite this, the piece nevertheless produced a powerful experience. Coming back after the intermission, the audience met a pleasant piece in Nicholas Phan’s performance of “Les Illumninations.” This Britten piece comes from a French poem by Arthur Rimbaud. In keeping with his national prestige, Phan shines as the tenor to this operatic performance that contained both strong Wagneresque and lighter church motifs.

            To close out the concert, the ASO performed Sibelius’s 7^th Symphony in one movement. Termed as a “symphonic fantasy” by the Finnish composer, the 7^th is nothing short of a joyful celebration. Multiple crescendos along with interspersed hymn-like sections of string contribute to the lively nature of the piece. A strong horn and brass section carried this behemoth of a movement through and effectively portrayed the sense of triumph that permeates the 7^th symphony. The ASO performed this finale very well, and it offered a pleasant conclusion to a highly satisfying musical experience.