Enthralling Beethoven’s ‘Ninth’ ends symphony season
By Phyllis Rosenblum

Santa Cruz Sentinal May 5, 2005

 

Picture credit: Massimo Caporale

"A riveting performance of Beethoven’s beloved "Ninth Symphony" enthralled the capacity crowd at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Saturday evening. Cheryl Anderson’s Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus joined the Santa Cruz Symphony in this 47th-season finale led by Music Director and Conductor John Larry Granger.

Acclaimed guest vocalists, Deborah Berioli, soprano; Theresa Cardinale, mezzo soprano; J. Raymond Meyers, tenor; and David Small, baritone, superbly filled the solo roles. The 75-minute work was played without intermission, unfolding in a constant, unbroken panorama.

(This unusually extensive symphony is so loved and respected that the 75-minute standard capacity of compact discs was adopted to accommodate it.)

The program was repeated Sunday afternoon to another full house at Watsonville’s Mello Center.

In the first three movements — for orchestra alone — Granger’s artistic interpretation and the orchestra’s supple response created a suspenseful build up to the anticipated magnificent choral finale. The work’s opening phrases, soft and eerie, materialize as if from far away, to then transform smoothly to a powerful immediacy.

In the second movement, Granger’s quick tempo and the players’ deftness gave the flitting themes a delightfully weightless energy. Smooth playing in the brief flowing interludes provided contrast that heightened the verve of the bouncy sections. Inner orchestral voices often came gracefully to the fore. Especially notable were several fine bassoon melodies.

Granger chose an unusually slow tempo for the poignant "Adagio" movement, stretching each phrase to its limit — without bogging down. Second violins and violas exquisitely introduced the elegantly flowing theme, which was then carefully echoed and embellished by other orchestral sections.

The chorus’ fervent entrance delivered all the power that the group’s 100-plus membership implied. Singing "off-book" (that is, without music) choral members faced the audience, creating an impression of direct communication. With their parts memorized, they focused attention on Granger’s directional details. Clipped syllables gave definition to the German text. (Some chorus members had previously memorized this work for the Symphony/Chorus joint presentation in 1997.)

The soloists formed a well-balanced quartet, with the two women’s voices blending especially well. Beethoven’s method of beginning the solo quartet sections with the baritone and then layering on the higher voices one by one worked especially well with these soloists. With each level brighter than the previous one, the mix truly sparkled when soprano Berioli added her vivid voice.

Beethoven’s rousing finale dramatically concluded the program — and a successful season."

Next season... for the final concert the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus joins Symphony in Berlioz’ dramatic "Requiem."