Hartford Symphony Orchestra www.hartfordsymphony.org 2009-2010 Opening Concert & Celebration 2009 Cliburn Gold & Silver Medalists Two Rachmaninoff Piano Concerti Friday and Saturday, September 25-26, 2009 Edward Cumming, Conductor Review by Donna Bailey-Thompson The opening concert and celebration of the 2009-2010 Masterworks Series saturated a packed Mortenson Hall with a cornucopia of emotions: two of Rachmaninoff's greatest and most beloved concerti were performed with discipline and artistry as close to flawlessly as anyone could hope for. Under the attuned direction of conductor Edward Cumming, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra supported the soloists appropriately, whether blending or soaring. Before the concert, the maestro interviewed Haochen Zhang who tied with a young Japanese blind pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii, for the 2009 Cliburn Competition Gold Medal. A native of Shanghai, Zhang, 19, was the youngest competitor. From a field of 157 scattered around the world who auditioned, 30 arrived in Texas for the grueling 17 days of competition Six became finalists. Zhang spoke of the intense media attention ("Really stressful") and Cumming mentioned the need to "stay healthy, to replace carbs." Concert pianists need strong bodies as much as athletes. Zhang opened the concert with Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor. When he and Cummings walked onto the stage, his slender youthfulness was arresting. He was little more than a boy, nonetheless, a boy who has performed with, among many others, the Philadelphia Philharmonic. He approached the piano and used a handkerchief to wipe the keys. He sat quietly for a minute or so before striking the first chord cleanly but softly, not much more than a whisper, followed by a most delicately executed crescendo from wisp to double forte. A boy may have walked onto the stage but a master commanded the keyboard. Weaving in and out of the three movements were reminders of popular songs inspired by the concerto - I Think of You, All By Myself, and the best known Full Moon and Empty Arms. Although purists may blanche, the good news is that so many who'd rather die than attend a classical concert are treated to thematic beauty in spite of themselves. In the excellent program notes by Dr. Richard E. Rodda, he describes the concerto's final moments: "The coda rises through a finely crafted line of mounting tension to bring this work to an electrifying close." Indeed, the audience erupted with cheers, a clamor teeming with wonder and appreciation... The encores had not faded completely when Yeol Eum Son of South Korea, 23, Silver Medalist of the 2009 Cliburn Competition, took her place at the piano. Petite, adorable in a gown with a deep reddish pink bodice and full skirt decorated with a flowery vine that matched the bodice trailing over a black background. Why was she playing last? How could she possibly even equal Zhang's beautiful performance? Quite easily, thank you - if you don't count the hundreds of hours spent practicing and honing her technique. So much emotion was churned up by the Rach 2 - the music itself followed by the bravos - that a settling was necessary before everyone could become tuned to the same page. Son sat still, perhaps meditating on the challenging demands of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Several minutes into the opening movement, an allegro, admiration of Son's skillfulness could not be denied - her delicate phrasing, rippling chords, powerful fortissimo. The marvel was how seemingly effortlessly she played, the strength in her hands. The deeper Son got into the concerto, the stronger her connection with the score, appreciation of her prodigious feat intensified. Following the dramatic closing moments, the audience, totally dazzled, sprang to its feet; the sustained roaring and enthusiastic clapping seemed to surprise Son. She touched her heart. Son and Zhang were born with musical talent that has benefited from excellent teaching - and training. Their deportment is exemplary. They honor their instrument. Scheduling these two celebrated musicians to play Rachmaninoff concerti back-to-back for the HSO's opening program was pure inspiration. The result was pure joy. ###

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