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Beginning with Beethoven’s long-overlooked Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56, Eroica Trio captivated the audience with their crisp and expressive performance. The work shifts from dark and intense to solemn and delicate to proud and majestic, and the Trio handled each change in mood effortlessly. Cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio was featured prominently on the second movement, expertly conveying the solemnity of the theme. Violinist Susie Park’s energy and technicality was breathtaking. From my vantage point (mere feet from the stage, far house left), I found the piano to be very dark and muddy in the low register, but when pianist Erika Nickrenz could be heard on exposed passages, her playing was spot on and impressive. All members of the Trio displayed skillful technique and affecting delivery. Conductor Fabio Luisi was sensitive and attentive, carefully managing the Orchestra’s accompaniment passages to act as a subtle yet strong support. The Trio offered Piazzolla’s Oblivion for their encore—a sexy little tune with long, soulful lines where the cello acted as bridge between violin and piano.

Brahms’s idyllic Symphony No. 2 followed as the second half of the program. This orchestra’s members were highly attuned across the ensemble, as bow control and unison shifts were impeccable. The lush string harmonies were warm and well balanced throughout the Symphony. Placement of double basses across the back of the stage helped with the low end's clean projection. Woodwinds and brass clearly sang out, appropriately filling the hall even during soft and dulcet passages. Their precision was especially noticable in the dark and lyrical second movement against the dramatic low string figure. The triumphant ending brought the audience to its feet.

Maestro Luisi was charming on the podium. His fluid gestures were equally sinuous and brisk, yet still clear and precise. Drawing out emotion from the Orchestra, Luisi shaped the music with forward motion and tightly controlled tempos and dynamics.

The Symphony’s two encores started with Mozart’s spirited and joyful Overture to Le nozze di Figaro and concluded with a whimsical and refreshing rendition of Johann Strauss’s Pizzicato Polka which stole the show—each palpable pluck delightfully and deeply resonated throughout the hall leaving the audience wanting more.

REVIEW:
Harriman-Jewell Series
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit http://hjseries.org        

Top Photo: Eroica Trio (Photo by Nina Choi)

By Kristin Shafel Omiccioli

Editorial Assignments Executive Editor; Traditional and New Classical Contributor

Kristin Shafel Omiccioli, a native of Madison, WI, holds composition degrees (M.M., B.M.) from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Kristin's compositions have been performed at national and regional new music festivals and conferences throughout the United States. During her time at UMKC, Kristin also focused on double bass performance and arts administration. She was a student leader and performer in many of the Conservatory's student organizations and ensembles, including Musica Nova, Composers' Guild, the Conservatory Student Association, the orchestras, and Wind Symphony. Her composition instructors were James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Zhou Long, and Chen Yi, and her bass instructor was Sue Stubbs. Formerly a guitarist, Kristin performed with big bands and her own jazz combo in Madison, WI, having studied jazz guitar and theory with Roger Brotherhood in Madison and jazz voice and theory with Hal Melia in Kansas City at UMKC.

Kristin enjoys being active in the performing arts community. She has volunteered with the Chamber Music Society of Kansas City and Charlotte Street Foundation, and has played in the bass section of the Northland Symphony Orchestra, among other bass gigs around the metro. Kristin currently serves as principal bass for the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and Heritage Philharmonic, and is a section bassist for Kinnor Philharmonic. She joined the writing staff of KCMetropolis.org in February 2010 and has been KCM’s executive editor since July 2011. Read her blog at mylittleheartmelodies.com.