The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra deserves praise and recognition before playing a single note. The entire Classics Series is packed with monumental works that require larger orchestras, world-class guest artists and a great deal of musicianship.
With Mozart's "Exsultate Jubilate" and Mahler's "Symphony No. 4" on the program for Saturday night's concert, the Philharmonic continued to demonstrate its desire to stretch the demands on the orchestra and perform music that is genuinely uplifting and inspiring.
There is no such thing as an easy Mahler symphony. His works require numerous additional musicians, a wide variety of techniques that you don't regularly encounter and a particular stamina — both for the musicians and the audience.
This first of four movements of this epic adventure begins with the volume and excitement you would expect from Mahler. The Philharmonic truly enjoyed the lushness of the orchestration, embracing both the softest of the soft moments and loudest of the loud.
The second movement transports you to an Austrian ballroom where you expect to dance a waltz. Only this is Mahler, and the second movement is not your typical waltz.
The interplay between the sections, trading both melodic and rhythmic motifs, can almost make your head spin — but in a wonderful way.
The third movement is yet another journey, the most interesting of Mahler's "Fourth."
At one moment you find yourself engulfed with the ethereal double bass section juxtaposed with the violins floating multiple octaves above. The next moment you are overcome by a sense of foreboding with the dense orchestration of the whole orchestra.
Then you reach the jubilation of the brass fanfare and tympani which raises your spirits to new heights. The third movement is indeed complex for both the musicians and the audience, and the Philharmonic nailed it.
The fourth and final movement adds a soprano soloist and the conclusion is calm and subdued. With Colton on stage for the purpose of the soprano solo, her voice and her performance were perfect for the occasion.
This was truly an excellent concert. Bravo!
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/nov/18/philharmonic-gives-classic-performance/
