Each making his BSO debut, English conductor Andrew Manze and Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi join the orchestra for a somewhat rarely heard Mozart concerto, the vivacious No. 19 in F, which the BSO hasn't played in Symphony Hall since 1994. Graźyna Bacewicz was one of Poland's most important composers of the mid-20th century, and one of very few women with an international reputation in that era. Her dynamic and soulful Concerto for String Orchestra won the Polish State Prize in 1950. Mendelssohn's Fifth Symphony, Reformation, is based in part on Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The symphony was written to coincide with the 300th anniversary of a major Reformation event, the Augsburg Confession.(Some emphasis added.)
The page has links to background information, including conductor and soloist bios. (Click on the photos.)
I wasn't at the Thursday performance because I was at the Holy (Maundy) Thursday Mass at my church. The review in the Globe found flaws, but seemed noncommittal overall. The Boston Musical Intelligencer also finds flaws but also does not scathe.
Was it a "thumb in the eye" to Catholics to choose something so explicitly Protestant as the "Reformation" Symphony for Easter? (I wouldn't figuratively raise a metaphorical eyebrow on an ordinary weekend.) Anyway, it should be interesting and enjoyable, if not thrilling, listening on WCRB this evening and again on April 29, both shows starting at 8:00, Boston Time. I'll be in church for the Easter Vigil this evening, but I hope to catch the replay.
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