Palo Alto Chamber Orchestr A Concert Review

On Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra performed a Sinfonia Orchestra. The program included the String Symphony No.2 in D major, the Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K. 216, the Viola Concerto in D major, the String Quartet No.17 in B-flat major, K. 458, the String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110. The orchestra was conducted by Ben Simon. Although I was impressed by the whole concert, the second half made a more lasting impression on me.

The concert opened with the String Symphony No.2 in D major for string orchestra. The Sinfonia No. 2 follows the same three-movement pattern as do all of Mendelssohn’s other early string symphonies. This piece opened with its excited classically oriented opening movement.

This piece generally is one of the best well-known compositions from Hoffmeister, and it even became one of the mandatory pieces for viola auditions and competitions. In the Classical period, the first movement is almost always in sonata form. However, sonata form is slightly different in the concerto genre. Due to the orchestra stating many of the themes at the beginning without the soloist, the true exposition occurs with entry of the soloist in the first movement of the concerto. The first movement was originally from the ritornello form from the Baroque period, but it is blended well with the sonata form. The first movement, which marked Allegro, began with a long orchestral introduction followed by an outstanding solo viola performance by Emily Hwang. I loved the atmosphere of this piece because it made me feel quite relaxed. Listening to this melodic piece felt like heaven. The principal theme of this piece returns several times in the various keys because of the great importance placed on

8 in C minor, Op. 110. Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra played only the first and the second movement. The first movement, which marked Largo, opened with the now famous motto theme. The piece opened with the cellos sounded like a voice full of sadness. The first movement begins with the cello, and then successively the viola. This dark and tense movement is treated fugally, and it felt to have a slow lament. Listening to this slow and extremely sad movement felt like a cloudy dark day. The second movement, which marked Allegro molto, rages with a driving, rhythmic treatment of the motto. The second movement gives the sense of urgency, and listening to it made me feel anxious. The second movement perfectly depicts the complete madness and insanity of Dmitri Shostakovich. This is an absolute brilliant