May 11, 2024

I’m a few decades into my career now, ok maybe more than a few. For many of us with this much “experience” it’s always a bit of a surprise to come upon a new, old work, especially one by a hugely famous and popular composer.
 
My colleagues in the Lansing Symphony and I took on Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony last night. From the conversations I had this week, I think it was a first for a lot of us. That so few of us had performed it before is a bit hard to wrap one’s head around, especially given that it’s his best symphony IMHO.
 
His second symphony is the popular one…so popular, themes from it were used in actual Popular Music in the 70’s and even earlier. Yes, classical music can be popular, but Classical music by definition is not Popular. It’s a tough row we hoe in the business.
 
The Second Symphony of Rachmaninoff is one of the greatest hits of the symphonic genre, but the Third is seldom played. He only wrote three, so why the neglect? That’s a question that’s has long been asked, usually by people who have just listened to the Third.

The Third has all the qualities we love in Rachmaninoff, and it’s even a bit shorter than 2. For my tastes, it’s a distillation of his style, a purification, an intensification. I love the Second Symphony as well, but it seems watered down compared to the Third….sort of the difference between having your bourbon on the rocks or neat. It’s great both ways, but the Third is decidedly “neat.”
 
The audience seemed to embrace it last night. I think they were especially wowed by the spectacular playing of the Lansing Symphony’s players. It’s a demanding work. They delivered and then some.
 
The first half of the program opened with music by LSO’s Composer-in-Residence, Jared Miller, a piece called “Luster.” It’s an impactful and engaging work, full of color and rich sonorities and a very satisfying arc to the drama. It’s only 7 minutes long, but it feels like a complete and fulfilling journey. I look forward to doing this music again sometime as soon as possible.  The audience let us know that Jared (and the LSO) hit the mark with this one.
 
Our guest artist for the evening was the wonderful young pianist Harmony Zhu who played Mozart Concerto 23. She brought grace, elegance, and energy to this wonderful concerto (perhaps my fave of the Mozart concerti…certainly one of them at least). Harmony is in the early years of her career, but she is one to watch. It was a joy to have her with us!
 
Next up for me is Lansing Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts in a few weeks, some of the most important, and exciting work we do. Thousands of young people from the area will be joining us at the Wharton center for a wonderful concert designed especially for them.
 
 
NEXT UP
 
May 22, 2024
 
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
 
“Link Up” Young People’s Concert
Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
East Lansing, Michigan
10:00 am and 12:30 a.m.
 
“The Orchestra Moves”
 
#jaredmiller #harmonyzhu #lansingsymphony