In a performance of exciting modernism, Jean Montes conducted an impressive showing by Loyola’s Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra played to a packed house in Roussell Hall on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The second song of the night, Bach’s “Kumm Süsser Tod,” was a short, moving piece that offered a historic stand alongside the night’s other songs. It began with a somber tune from the strings that was soon joined by the horns for more diction. The music waved through a slow, emotional confession until it amassed a force and ended the song with a complete sentiment.
The third piece of the night, “On Sel Badjo Mi-an, Mi-an,” was the most unique as it toyed with the reactions of the audience, and offered a whole new perspective on orchestral music. Ferere Laguerre, a Haitian composer of the twentieth-century who experimented with orchestral and Caribbean music, wrote the piece.
The song began with an oboe tune from afar, but soon turned into a bizarre conversation between the strings and horns. The percussion section included a conga, cowbell, xylophone and concert bass drum. They played a primitive, suspenseful and creepy tune before the flutes instigated a loud, aggressive attack, including loud punches by the trumpets, the conga and the bass drum. The song then altered its course to sleuthing horns, an inconspicuous string section, misplaced percussion, hand clapping, a yell and a whip (caused by a slap board) for a dark, occult end.
Twentieth-century, American composer, Aaron Copland, composed the final two pieces. Both pieces are part of Copland’s “Four Dances Episodes” from his ballet, “Rodeo.” The music from this piece has been heard throughout pop culture, but it was most popularly used on the “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner” commercials.
The first song is entitled “Buckaroo Holiday” and changed the tone of the night in a more jovial direction.” With the sound of America, a loud, happy melody woke the audience. The group played through the song with strong animation and, in fervor, played a powerful end of serious tones, action-packed runs, firm nationalism and the happy anthem of a frontiersman.
The second song, and last performance of the night, is entitled “Hoe Down,” and it ended the night quickly with the finale of the American classic, no doubt, leaving an astounded crowd craving steak.
Playing for the first time this season, the Orchestra debuted its newest members.
“The most important part of the night was working together because there are so many new students this year,” said principle violinist Madeline Falcone, performance senior. She said, “a lot of things came together for the show that hadn’t before, it was fun to play and the audience interaction was great.”
The song selection for the Orchestra’s performance was tasteful and original, and the musicians played with impressive maturity. The Symphony Orchestra’s next show, on Saturday, Dec. 5 is in Roussell Hall
Saturday’s performance was the first of many classical music events being held this semester in the Montage Fine and Performing Arts Series. Upcoming concerts include the Choirs Concert on Sunday, Oct. 25, the Faculty Chamber Ensemble Concert on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Wind Ensemble Concert and Chamber Orchestra Concert on Saturday, Nov. 14, the Concert Band performance on Sunday, Nov. 15, and the Ballet on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21.
Garrett Cleland can be reached at [email protected]
