Vaughan Williams' "Sea Symphony"
I have always been a Vaughan Williams fan. The "Sea Symphony" is his first symphony, and I have to say that this early work doesn't hold the appeal to me that his later works do. Scored for large orchestra, chorus and two soloists, it is reminiscent of Elgar's choral excesses.The performance by the Tokyo Symphony at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, home of the dual organs on turntables, was held March 15 and was conducted by Naoto Otomo.
The first half of the concert featured Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves", one of his pleasant albeit insubstantial works. This was followed by Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, probably the only work of Felix's that I enjoy. The soloist, Yasuko Otani, played beautifully, and the performance was altogether satisfying. I was taken by her bright orange ball gown and matching bright lipstick as well as her huge smile, which somehow conveyed her delight in being there and performing such a wonderful piece.
Following an intermission, the "Sea Symphony" commenced. Its first movement is loud and overlong. The soprano, Sally Harrison. cut through the noise with a clear, focused voice. The baritone, Owen Gilhooly, sang beautifully, but he was frequently outmatched by the orchestra's volume.
The highlight was the quieter, slower second movement which foreshadows Vaughan Williams' penchant for rhapsodic beauty. The remainder of the work was well performed, but at the end I felt I don't need to hear it in performance again. Too much bombast with too few moments of that gorgeous beauty that Vaughn Williams achieved in his subsequent works.
The chorus was notable for several reasons, one being its clear English diction. Bravi! Additionally, the choristers performed without scores and stood ramrod straight with arms stiffly at their sides and blank, although focused, affect throughout. That's discipline.
posted by Larry Wells @ 6:31 PM
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