Stéphane Denève’s introductory remarks, after the customary exchange of Good Evening, helped set the scene for the last of this season’s ten works written in the first decade of this new century.
On the Transmigration of Souls was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic from John Adams to commemorate the first anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001. In the week in which Osama Bin Laden had been found and killed, it was all the more poignant.
The noise of a busy New York street and the voices of many of those in danger or seeking friends added considerably to set the scene of the awfulness of what was happening all around them. The voices, with the Junior Chorus grouped to the left of the Chorus, were of the simplest words. So very real, and going on to mutter just what the bereaved would say. The music, from a particularly large orchestra, worked around this to produce a particularly moving experience and one which will certainly remain in my mind.
No doubt, the house was full yet again this season because an old favourite was on the agenda. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the Choral, has three movements of orchestra alone and the four star-studded soloists, sitting behind the orchestra in front of the choir, only came in their own for the final movement; and terrific they were.
The Chorus sung with great clarity - at first I followed the German text in the programme but realised it really was not necessary. On my way out I was reminded by a friend just how deaf Beethoven was when he composed the Choral Symphony.
Michael Elliott has been appointed Chief Executive of the Orchestra and starts on 1 August 2011. After 34 years Robert Mitchell, the Orchestra’s Associate Principal Double Bass now retires. So too after 38 years does John Harrington, the Principal Viola.
I shall miss watching his enthusiastic support of the many celebrities who have entertained us. We wish them well. It is now 50 years since I first attended the Usher Hall on a Friday evening and in those days the late Jean Howells, my viola teacher, was often playing in the Orchestra.
It has been a great season. We look forward all the more to Stéphane Denève’s last, this coming winter.
Event: Thursday 5 May 2011 6.45 pm (talk), 7.30 pm (concert).