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Stutzmann leads Atlanta Symphony in all-Dvořák concert doubling as recording session for Warner Classics
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Stutzmann leads Atlanta Symphony in all-Dvořák concert doubling as recording session for Warner Classics
CONCERT REVIEW:Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
November 9 & 11, 2023
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center
Atlanta, Georgia – USA
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor; Josef Špaček, violin.
Antonín DVOŘÁK: Suite in A major (“American”), Op. 98b, B.190
Antonín DVOŘÁK: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53, B.108
Antonín DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”), Op. 95, B.178Mark Gresham | 10 NOV 2023
The first thing noticed upon entering Atlanta Symphony Hall on Thursday evening was the array of microphones placed on the stage, quite different from the usual setup of mics hung from the flies with which the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra records its concerts for broadcast on local public radio station WABE and statewide network GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting).
A few questions here and there revealed that the concert was being recorded by and for the Warner Classics label.
Several other observations followed on its heels as the orchestra assembled onstage. First, the violas were seated up front, on the audience’s right, in front of the cellos. Secondly, the strings were sitting much closer together than they usually are.
That was the setup for the evening’s all-Dvořák program, led by ASO music director Nathalie Stutzmann.
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The concert opened with a first-time performance for the ASO, Dvořák’s Suite in A major, Op. 98b, B.190, the so-called “American Suite.” Written in New York City in 1984 for solo piano (the same year as his cycle of eight Humoresques for piano), Dvořák orchestrated the five-movement Suite the following year.
Though hardly a heavyweight, it’s a charming set of pieces, although the orchestral version adds some new depth and color. The opening theme reflects a fusion of Dvořák’s perception of American folk music styles and Czech emigrant tunes, especially evident in the rhythmic third movement, marked “Moderato (alla Polacca).” The final movement even includes a hint of the Far East without resorting to exoticism.
Violinist Josef Špaček solos in Antonín Dvořák’s “Violin Concerto,” Novemebre 9, 2023. (credit: Rand Lines)
Unlike his ubiquitous Cello Concerto, Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, Op. 58, is not often heard. It was last performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 20 years ago, with violinist Sarah Chang and conductor Hans Graf.
The guest soloist of Thursday evening, 37-year-old Czech violinist Josef Špaček, was impressive. He encountered a few technical issues at one point in about the first five minutes or so, traversing the instrument’s upper range. But it is a technically challenging piece. Along with that came some balance issues, where the orchestra occasionally overpowered him, despite the fact he is clearly a player with a vibrant, powerful sound that has vivid presence. But after that brief spell, all was good. And it just kept getting better. I do look forward to hearing him again someday.
Špaček had already recorded the Dvořák Violin Concerto along with that of Leoš Janáček and the Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra of Josef Suk on a 2015 disc from the Supraphon label (SU 4182-2).
As for the Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”), the final listed work on the program, the ASO sounded cohesive, with good ensemble. The sound of the string sections, though crowded close together, was quite good. Also, the horn section sounded great (though Dvořák provides ample opportunity for them to do otherwise). The famous “Going Home” theme in the second movement (“Largo”) played by solo English horn (Emily Brebach) was lovely. Stutzmann brought out some of the inner voices, particularly in the last movement, but whenever the principal theme returned, it felt like the tempo kicked up a few notches without cause. But the forward momentum would soon begin to settle down again.
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Even after this long program of just over 90 minutes of music, plus a 20 minute intermission, Stutrzmann led the ASO in an encore: one of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, No. 2 from the Op. 72 set.
That program length also begs for some final words (for now) about the recording, as 90 minutes is far too long for a single disc album.
According to ASO spokespersons, the Warner album will include the American Suite and the New World Symphony but not Špaček and the Violin Concerto. In addition to recording the Thursday and Saturday night programs, the orchestra scheduled one more recording session with a live invited audience, so audio engineers will have three performances to work with, plus the option of a “patch” session after Saturday’s performance if deemed necessary. The ASO is still working out the release details with Warner, remaining focused on the quality of the recording for now. ■
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About the author:Mark Gresham is publisher and principal writer of EarRelevant. he began writing as a music journalist over 30 years ago, but has been a composer of music much longer than that. He was the winner of an ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award for music journalism in 2003.
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