Review: Oregon Symphony flirts with perfection in performance of Beethoven Violin Concerto with Kang and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony

From the Oregon Symphony's Facebook page

Location, Location, Location! That’s the mantra of real estate sales. With symphony orchestras, there are many things to consider invoking, but one of them has to be Dynamics, Dynamics, Dynamics! That was one of the many artistic expressions that the Oregon Symphony excelled with in its most recent concert (January 20) at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Guided by David Danzmayr, the ensemble delivered sterling dynamic contrasts in its performance of Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto,” featuring guest soloist Clara-Jumi Kang, and topped it off with exceptional dynamics with Beethoven’s “Seventh Symphony.” Combined with a scintillating rendition of “Fiesta!” by Peruvian-American composer Jimmy López, the Oregon Symphony concert sounded stellar from start to finish – one of the best concerts under Danzmayr, who is in the middle of his fourth season as Music Director of the orchestra.

Kang has an international career with major league orchestras and recordings, but she has flown under the radar for many of us who try to keep tabs on the most talented artists in classical music. The 37-year-old South Korean-German violinist has won awards at several major competitions, appeared at the Hollywood Bowl and Saltzburg Festival, and has a discography under the Decca and Accentus Music labels.

Making the most of her debut with the orchestra, Kang elicited an exquisite performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. From crystalline high notes to florid runs that ascended and descended immaculately, she conveyed power and emotion. Her pillowy soft pianissimos could be heard even when the orchestra accompanied her. Cadenzas flowed from Kang’s violin effortlessly but always with conviction, and the frolicking joy of the final movement swept up the audience with its triumphant embrace.

Kang responded to the immediate and lengthy standing ovation with a lovely encore, the Andante from J.S. Bach's “Sonata No. 2” in A Minor. It sounded delicate and sublime – a calming Nachspeise before intermission.

Conducting impressively from memory Danzmayr led the orchestra in an outstanding performance of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.” The dynamic contrasts with blooming crescendos and decaying decrescendos were always spot on and enticing right down to the subtlest pizzicatos. Well-chosen tempos and exceptional playing from all sections of the orchestra enhanced every aspect of the symphonic journey. One would have thought that it would be difficult to top the exceptional effort of Kang in the Violin Concerto, but the orchestra did just that with an electrifying performance. Wow!

The concert began with a sonic-kaleidoscopic piece by Jimmy López called “Fiesta!” Danzmayr, in his introductory remarks, said that he and López met while studying music in Finland, and that “Fiesta!” has been his most popular piece.

Divided into four movements – Trance 1, Countertime, Trance 2, and Techno – “Fiesta” erupted with a propulsive rhythmic drive from the congas and bongos. Accented blasts from the horns and fragmented passages from other sections of the orchestra were accompanied by sustained strings. The second movement swung wildly from very quiet phrases to double forte outbursts. The turbulence of the third briefly quieted down enough to allow the forlorn call from the horn (Associate Principal Joseph Berger) to be heard. Pounding from the percussion section highlighted the punchy, jumpy fourth movement, which marched into a robust finale.