BSO — 2022/02/05

 The BSO had originally planned to give us a program consisting of Dvořák's Sixth Symphony and the Glagolitic Mass by Janáček. But they decided, mostly, I guess, for the safety of the performers, to substitute Janáček's "Jealousy" and Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto for the Mass. Since I'm unfamiliar with the Mass in question, I don't know whether to be happy or sad over the change. It allowed a pianist to make his debut wth the BSO.

Here's WCRB's synopsis:

Saturday, February 5, and Monday, February 14, 2022
8:00 PM

Tonight at 8pm, the Czech conductor returns to Symphony Hall to lead the BSO in a celebration of Czech music through Janáček’s Jealousy and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6, juxtaposed with Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring the BSO debut of Lukáš Vondráček.

Jakub Hrůša, conductor
Lukáš Vondráček, piano

JANÁČEK Jealousy
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 6

To hear a preview, in which Jakub Hrůša describes the character of Janáček’s Jealousy, why he loves to perform Dvořák's Symphony No. 6, and recounts the origins of his artistic collaboration with Lukáš Vondráček, use the player above.

TRANSCRIPT:

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at Symphony Hall with Jakub Hrůša, who's here for the second time. Jakub, thanks so much for your time today, I appreciate it.

Jakub Hrůša My pleasure. 

As you see, there's an interview with the conductor which you can listen to via a link on the page where the synopsisis given or read on that page.

The BSO's own page about the concert has links to performer bios as well as to the program notes, which explain what "Jealousy" is all about. They enhanced my listening, but they're probably not essential.

I was there on Thursday and enjoyed the concert. The first piece was brief and not tough to take. The other two are standard repertoire which should present no challenges. In the concerto there were some problems of balance between piano and orchestra. There were occasional points where I couldn't hear the piano. I know the pianist was playing because I could see his hands moving on the keyboard, but sometimes the orchestra was playing too loudly and drowned him out. Other times the orchestra wasn't too loud but he was playing so softly that his sound didn't carry to where I was sitting. What I heard was good. Maybe the radio engineers can adjust the balance so everything comes through.

But what I liked best was the symphony after intermission. It was compelling all the way through.

Let's see what the reviewers thought. There is a rave review in the Boston Musical Intelligencer. If you were unsure whether or not to listen, this should make up your mind to "tune in." BTW, the reviewer found no balance problems in the concerto. The Globe is also highly favorable. 

So that's three thumbs up (counting mine). Enjoy tonight and February 14 at 8:00 p.m., Boston Time, over WCRB.