September 28, 2004 7:30 pm
Great Hall, GBPAC, Cedar Falls
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Beethoven – Symphony no. 3, 'Eroica'
Dvořák – Cello Concerto
Yo-Yo Ma gives spiritually moving performance
By George F. Day
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
September 30, 2004
To celebrate the start of its 75th anniversary season, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra presented a magnificent concert Tuesday at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. It was an event that will be long-remembered by those in the capacity audience. Guest artist was the famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
This first work in the program, Beethoven’s Third Symphony, was completed 200 years ago in 1804. Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony was revolutionary – longer, bolder and more complex than any previous symphony. Mere language can never do justice to the Third Symphony. It is so grand, complex, varied and so full of mysterious meaning that it would be arrogant to attempt at verbal analysis. But one this is certain: at this particular concert the work was conducted and played impeccably.
Surprisingly, Beethoven is often performed in rather lackluster fashion. Not so this time. The WCFSO was in perfect form and each section and soloist performed superbly. We heard outstanding parts played by the horns [Dan Malloy Jr., Valerie Shanley, Steven Schulze], clarinet [Eric Wachmann], flute [Roberta Huff], oboe [Tom Barry] and all of the strings. Conductor Jason Weinberger created a brilliant atmosphere of sound with intense attention to detail and breathtaking tempi that swept through the score like a benign hurricane.
The second half of the program featured celebrated cellist Ma in a performance of Dvorak’s Concerto for Cello in B minor. In several ways, this concerto almost is as unconventional as the Beethoven symphony. It is packed with imaginative variations on the principal theme, including pleasant echoes of folk music not unlike those of the composer’s ‘New World Symphony.’
Ma’s performance was, of course, brilliant. The eloquent cello voice he creates is commanding, in bold arpeggios or sweetly serene melodic lines. Ma’s personality was a joy to experience and contributed mightily to the evening’s success. He clearly enjoyed playing with the orchestra and for this audience. His appreciative glances toward individuals and sections of the orchestra during rests conveyed a special warmth. And thus, at the end, the audience was on its feet shouting and applauding with more enthusiasm than I have ever heard at GBPAC. Ma was the man of the hour.
After the show, I heard one longtime WCFSO player say he had never known such rapport as existed between a conductor, soloist and audience. That was certainly evident. Another comment from a friend on the way out was: ‘This was a very spiritual evening.’ What a perfect summary of an unforgettable concert.
Note: All reviews are edited for length and spelling.