Beethoven would Smile! Summer Concert at Point Loma was a Beautiful Affair
What a joy to see an audience of almost hundred people to willingly burst into a song about eternal brotherhood, The Ode to Joy. If only Beethoven could witness our joyful impromptu singing, If only he could know how close to our heart is his melody, how the words of his favorite Schiller's poem became a sincere desire of many.
This improvised sing along happened in the second half of a chamber concert on July 21, 2017 at Point Loma Assembly, presenting three extraordinary musicians.
How did the singing came about? It was time to introduce Beethoven's String Trio op. no 9 written in 1797/98 and there was a need to illustrate Beethoven's uniqueness and revolutionary spirit with one of his unprecedented pieces premiered in Vienna on May 7, 1824. The audience, almost 200 years ago, was up for quite a night as on the program, among other pieces, was Beethoven's "Choral" symphony , his Ninth, his last, his revolutionary. Beethoven had been out of public eye for twelve years by then and here he is at the conductor's podium with his baton despite the fact he hears his symphony only in his own head; loosing his hearing many years prior this evening.
It is the last movement that brings everyone to their feet as it presents a human voice, a mighty chorus, an unprecedented feature in any prior symphonies. The chorus performs Frederic Schiller "Ode to Joy", set to Beethoven's emotive, appealing, eloquent, charismatic melody, harmony and orchestration. The ovation at the end of the premiere in 1824 has no end, Beethoven howls with joy, audience is moved by the power of music, and by the power of human perseverance and strength that Beethoven represents.
And it seems that the wonderful WONDERFUL audience in Point Loma Assembly who so willingly joined me in singing the melody of the Ode to Joy still feels the power of that piece that lost nothing from its freshness, inventiveness, importance and uniqueness.
And as we sang there in unison, I knew again and again how wonderful life can get and how music augments all of that good within us, among us, around us.
Three young accomplished artists, Caterina Longhi , viola, Anna Skalova, violin, Andrew Hayhurst, cello,
presented superb concert consisting of a scope of well-known composers as Beethoven and Dohnanyi are, but presenting not so well-known yet attractive memorable unusual pieces from both of the
composers' early stages of composing. (Beethoven's already mentioned String Trio op. 9 no 1 written in 1797/98 and Erno Dohnanyi's Serenade for String Trio Op. 10 from 1902.) Both pieces required virtuosity of the musicians, understanding the conceptual demand, preciseness, yet allowance of whimsicality and playfulness that soared above the elaborate core of the pieces.
The other two numbers on the program were well-known, yet fresh in its arrangements for a string trio.
Astor Piazzola, the Argentinian bandoneon virtuoso and a king of tango, Oblivion, arr. by Rebecca Matayoshi brought sultry emotions in, and a Czech composer Dvorak's Humoresque no 7, arranged by Anna Skalova, made feel everyone "at home" as this playful dynamic melody puts everyone at ease. Both pieces were beautifully played, fresh & heartfelt.
It was a special, wonderful, artistic, musical evening at its best thanks to the unusual talents of the musicians and their full-of-sincere emotions performance, and thanks to the audience who came to to live that evening up with a wide smile.
Music happened, admiration of the talents took place, talks were lively, the wine select, wondrous vibes were set loose in the room and with it, magic filled that Green Point Loma Theatre!
My appreciation to - Dottie Laub, Vera Dolansky, House of Czech & Slovak House. Special thanks to Jana Fiserova, Tana Majkova, Marjenka, Adelka & Vlada and all in the audience!!
The musical series of classical concerts at Point Loma Assembly is organized and narrated by Marketa Hancova & company.
No photos, our apology to all who wanted to admire them!