Handel and Haydn — 2019/03/10

On Sunday, March 10, I went to the afternoon concert of the Handel and Haydn Society at Symphony Hall. There were four works on the program. First was Coronation Anthem № 1, "Zadok the Priest," by Handel, which was performed by members of the high school Collaborative Youth Concerts Choruses and the H+H Orchestra, conducted by Emily Isaacson. The remainder of the concert was performed by the orchestra, conducted by Matthew Halls. It consisted of the Overture to "The Magic Flute," K. 620 by Mozart, Clarinet Concerto № 1 in f minor, op. 73, by Weber, with Eric Hoeprich as soloist, and, after intermission, Symphony № 5 in c minor, op. 67, by Beethoven.

For a group of high schoolers from various schools, the chorus performed quite well. I'd say they were flawless. The Mozart overture was also flawless but unspectacular. Eric Hoeprich is Dutch, but comes to play first clarinet with the H+H. He gave a very lively rendition of the solo part in the Weber. Toward the end of the slow movement, there were passages where the clarinet was accompanied only by three horns softly playing sustained chords. One of the horns was playing extremely low notes — something Weber calls for in other pieces as well. The horn players handled it all very well, and when they were finished is said, "Wow!" under my breath. The third horn player, John Aubrey, didn't seem to do much during the rest of the piece, and I suspect he was brought in just to handle the low notes. I find Weber's music very enjoyable, so I was happy to hear this piece so well performed. I gave a "Bravo!" at the end, and a "Bravi!" to the horn players when the conductor had them stand for a bow.

The Beethoven 5th was also wonderful. The H+H plays on period instruments and uses "historically informed" playing techniques. The result was a smaller orchestra than is common — mainly fewer strings — and it was possible to hear all the instruments. Details which often are buried were audible,  so it seemed that I could hear bits which I hadn't noticed before. The performance was very vigorous in the outer movements and, I thought, well-paced in the inner ones. The end of the symphony produces a GSO (guaranteed standing ovation), so other audience members provided the well-deserved bravos without waiting for encouragement from me.

I don't find any reviews of the concert, so for now you'll have to take my word for it that it was an excellent concert. I hope that WCRB will broadcast it sometime, and you can hear it for yourself.