The Boston College Music Department presented a joint presentation of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra and the Boston College Cello Ensemble to a packed audience of BC students, faculty and staff, and parents this past Friday, February 19th in Gasson Hall. There were over 50 talented young musicians performing in the concert that night.
The Boston College Symphony Orchestra kicked off the night with the renowned piece entitled Overture to Rosamunde, written by composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828). John Finney, the conductor of the BC Symphony Orchestra, did an excellent job in preparing the student-musicians for the performance. It was a beautiful piece, one that relied quite heavily on the violinists. However, concertmaster Miguel Garcia-Bender and the other violinists were definitely primed for meeting this challenge.
The Boston College Cello Ensemble – led by Director Junko Simons – followed up this first masterpiece with a second one, namely the concerto Bachiana Brasileira No. 5, which was composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959). Finney said that, “from the beginning, we have always been very fascinated with this piece…for one, it is sung in the language of North Brazilian Portuguese.” After consultation with professionals on how to pronounce this dialectic, John Finney asked Soprano Jean Danton if she would perform it. And Ms. Danton did not disappoint, delivering an amazing performance of vocal excellence.
Concerning Villa-Lobos’ Bachiana Brasileira No. 5, Finney said, “it just has to be the most sensuous, beautiful, and poignant melodies that has ever been created. It is the beautiful imagery evoked through metaphoric language,” Finney explained, “that is so descriptive of the evening, as the clouds grow pink in color.” Needless to say, his passion for the music was quite tangible.
Following a brief intermission period, the Boston College Symphony Orchestra returned to the stage. It was now time for the third and final piece of the night, the well-known Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major. It was first composed by the celebrated composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Before this piece was even begun, Finney informed the audience that the composition alone would last for about 25 minutes.
Finney referenced the fact that, “what we found so interesting was the juxtaposition of the 18th and 20th centuries between Haydn’s Symphony No. 99 and Villa-Lobos’ Bachiana Brasileira No. 5, respectively. So, we decided to perform the two of them consecutively.”
Clarinetist Steven Zilg said, “It was an amazing performance, the culmination of all our hard work and effort throughout the year. All of us in the Symphony Orchestra are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish.” After a brief pause he did add, “it is a relief to have this one behind us, though. Now we just have to look forward to the next concert and do our best to be prepared, as we always do.”
Members of both the Symphony Orchestra and Cello Ensemble had to devote tremendous time and effort in preparation for this moment, rehearsing several times a week on a regular basis.
For those interested, the Boston College Music Department will be sponsoring another concert later on in the spring semester, which is scheduled for April 16. That concert will feature the soloist and winner of the 2009-2010 Boston College Concerto Competition, Rachel Schmit.
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