After a few months of hiatus I went back this evening to yet another concert at the Myerson Center. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is performing concertos and symphonies of the 19th century composer Felix Mendelssohn. And I have to admit I was not prepared for what I heard.
I have heard of Mendelssohn but I dont quite recall hearing his music. Maybe I did but I didnt know. But tonight’s concert was completely out of this world. Mendelssohn, the son of a banker and the grandson of a philosopher was a prodigy along with his elder sister and actually wrote many compositions very early in his age starting at about 13. He was considered as much as Mozart the difference being that Mendelssohn’s music having during certain times not been so popular as other times. Mendelssohn was also a great conductor who pretty much brought back the music of Sebastian Bach and reintroduced it to the world (it had almost been forgotten) 75 years after Bach’s death. He is very well known for The Hebrides Overture.
Tonight they played The Hebrides Overture, the Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor and the Symphony No. 3 in A minor. I read about the Hebrides Overture and it was very nice but what I heard next was simply mesmerizing. The Piano Concerto (the Pianist was Alessio Bax) was a beautiful piece starting off with a vibrancy and energy and then moving into a soulful and very peaceful middle which made me feel like I was in heaven and coming back with a gusto to the third piece that simply lifted me into a state of excitement. At times it was even playful and made me smile. I am not qualified to critique Mr. Bax but I thought he was simply wonderful on the piano. Sitting almost at the edge of the stool and making me think a couple of times that it would topple he delivered a masterpiece of a performance.
If I thought this was the best and as they pulled the piano off the stage I prepared myself for another piece of nice music which maynot be as enthralling as this one that just ended. But the last piece … the Symphony No. 3 was something else. It had one of the most melodious parts which were so beautiful. These then blended into a vibrant music that made me want to just jump out of my seat or tap my feet. I had to hold myself still for the sake of my fellow concert goers.
The Conductor Jaap Van Zweden did a fantastic job bringing this together. In some ways I felt history was made today. Not only did the Pianist Alessio Bax receive standing ovation and was called back out twice to take a bow, but at the end of the entire concert even Mr. Zweden received that honor. In the past 6 years of going to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra I dont recall ever seeing this.
