By
Michall Jeffers
The opening program of Mostly Mozart
2015, was actually made up of only Mozart, and the result was a delightful
evening for all the music lovers in the audience. The Festival is an annual
summertime tradition in New York; this is its 49th year, and there’s
no doubt that the tradition is still going strong.
The concert featured pieces
which are less familiar to the listener than the standard old chestnuts. With
the exception of the popular Symphony No. 34 in C major, which ended the
evening, lesser known music provided a different view of the beloved composer.
Featured were Overture to The Impresario and Piano Concerto No. 14 in
E-flat major.
A magnificent concert grand piano was opened, and the
audience roared with appreciation as the great Emanuel Ax walked onto the
stage. Ax looks like everyone’s favorite grandpa, complete with glasses and a
sweet demeanor. He gently caresses the keys; music just seems to flow from his
fingers. So enamored was the audience by the virtuoso, he was beckoned back for
an encore, which was equally well received. The sixty-six year old Ax, who was born in the Ukraine, is a Grammy Award winner;
in addition to being a world renowned pianist, he’s also on the faculty of
Juilliard.
Another treat was in store after
the intermission. Highly regarded coloratura soprano Erin Morley maked
her Festival debut singing Mozart arias Vorrei spiegarvi, Oh Dio! and No,
che non sei capace , both composed in 1783. At 34, she’s definitely a
sought after rising star in the opera world. Morley had a true 42nd
Street moment in 2013 at the Metropolitan Opera, when she stepped in for an
ailing colleague and received kudos for her star turn as Sophie von Faninal in Der Rosenkavalier At this
Mostly Mozart concert, Ms. Morley looked as lovely as she sounded, in a bright
red satin evening gown. She’s very attractive, and appealing to the audience.
When she was presented with a large arrangement of pink roses after her solo,
the concert hall filled with applause for her once again.
There is a unique
feeling of comradery at Mostly Mozart concerts. Those of us watching
the performances feel as though we’re a part of the proceedings. This is due
almost entirely to Conductor Louis Langree, who exudes sheer joy, and clearly
inspires the musicians with his animated facial expressions as well as his
lyrical hands. When Langree stopped the music in the middle of a piece, and turned
to the audience to shrug that even he doesn’t know why Mozart stopped composing
at that point, we all shared a laugh together. The internationally renowned
Langree has been the music director since 2002. The exuberant Frenchman was
named Renee and Robert Belfer Music Director in 2006, and in the same year, was
appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the Minister of Culture in his
native country. He has long been a favorite conductor of opera companies around
the world, including the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala. There is no denying
it; even in a simple black shirt and slacks, with his back turned to the house,
you simply can’t take your eyes off Langree.
The Mostly Mozart Festival
Orchestra is composed of some of the finest musicians currently employed
by top American orchestras; they come together on the thrust stage of Avery
Fisher Hall as the only U.S. orchestra dedicated to the music of the Classical
period. The ensemble is modeled on what such a group would have been like in
Mozart’s era. The mutual respect the musicians have for one another, and their
individual skill are factors that are crucial to the success of the orchestra;
but even Langree has marveled at just how well the musicians work together.
“How is it possible that these musicians that play together only five weeks
each year…come together as an ensemble so quickly?” He answers his own
question by noting “It’s about a different type of attitude, about individual
musicians collectively coming together to make music.”
Mostly Mozart
continues through August 22nd. There’s nothing quite like it in the
world; when you’re listening to these performances, you’re hearing the best.
Mostly Mozart, Lincoln Center, through August 22nd.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Campus, 1941 Broadway,
at West 65th Street.
For ticket information: phone 212-721-6500
or visit www.MostlyMozart.org.
