Hartford Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Series Program No. 3 Schumann: Overture to Lord Byron's Dramatic Poem, Manfred, Op. 115 Brahms: A German Requiem Thursday, November 12 - Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 8:00 PM Belding Theater, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts Concert Preview, 7:00 PM Sunday, November 15, 2009, at 3:00 PM Concert Preview, 2:00 PM CONSTANTINE KITSOPOULOS, guest conductor THE HARTFORD CHORALE, RICHARD COFFEY, music director AMANDA FORSYTHE, soprano KEVIN DEAS, bass www.hartfordsymphony.org Review by Donna Bailey-Thompson With a gracious introduction by Kristen Phillips, Executive Director, the search for the HSO's 10th Music Director moved from PR releases to the in person presentation of the first candidate, Constantine Kitsopoulos. His pre-concert talk focused on the evening's program, whetting the audience's expectations. A large man, soft-spoken, with a sense of humor, he was at ease, blending a formal and casual demeanor. His credentials are impressive and many. One wonders when he's found time to sleep. Ms. Phillips stressed the importance of everyone interested in the search to share their impressions of all the candidates. The concert opened with Robert Schumann's Overture to Lord Byron's Dramatic Poem, Manfred. A darkness shaded the beauty of the music, and no wonder given Schumann's own mental health history and Manfred's grief for the death of his sister, Astarte. Inconsolable, he turns to metaphysical aids, prompting Schumann's wife, Clara (an amazing musician in her own right), to refer to Byron's epic as "witch drama." The score reflects the gamut of emotions when besotted with a complicated loss, taking many forms, often suddenly exchanging deep anguish for anger or paradoxically becoming light-hearted, hopeful, only to plummet into a frightful abyss. The basses and strings, like bumblebees, responded to conductor Kitsopoulos's seemingly minimal guidance, bringing the piece to a mournful conclusion. (The full text of Manfred, the poem by Lord Byron.) Approximately 75 minutes of heavenly music followed intermission: Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem for Soprano and Baritone Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra. The full complement of The Hartford Chorale, directed by Richard Coffee, was banked against the rear wall behind the orchestra. From the beginning, Brahms' deep mellowness, soothing layers of sound and the glorious voices of the chorale suffused the intimate Belding Theater. Low light and small type conspired to prevent following the English translation. What a shame -- not! The orchestrations of symphonic instruments and the chorale's voices exuded soothing surrender, so I did. Brahms built the Requiem on phrases borrowed from the Old and New Testaments, familiar words that help assuage the pain of loss. Midway, the bass soloist stood, Kevin Deas, and sang with passion, strength, and a description by someone not identified which captures his unique timbre -- "burnished sound." Not until almost the end did soloist Amanda Forsythe appear, wearing a gown of Concord grape, that complemented her pregnancy (she'll be on maternity leave from January to April). Ms. Forsythe's light lyric soprano rivals any birdsong. Her voice shimmers. Its delicacy, its impassioned moments of joy and entreaty, so responsive to her commands -- I couldn't understand a word she sang (in German). Nevertheless, or perhaps because, I was transfixed. Mr. Deas' voice was as robust as Ms. Forsythe's was finespun. Music Director Candidate Constantine Kitsopoulos brought the HSO and the Hartford Chorale home with dignity and warmth.

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