BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra – The Thursday Night Series: Sacred and Profane | 10 March 2011

The appearance of the American guest conductor Andrew Litton is always one of the most anticipated BBC SSO events, and his collaboration with German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser makes it a double treat for this Thursday Night Series.

[10/03] Glasgow, United Kingdom - Lead by guest conductor from USA, Andrew Litton, this performance is destined to be one of the highlights of the season. As the audience start filling the City Hall, the usher and few of the orchestra members is set for a pre-concert talk show about Elgar’s Cello Concerto score. A small insight and a glimpse preview from the scores’ seem to be an effective way to increase the audience anxiety.

Starting with Wagner’s Prelude to ‘Parsifal’ as the opening, Litton’s emotional-but-calm way of conducting hypnotizes the audience as the long-breathed unison strings and wind section starts to play. And just with in a blink, the middle age audiences who shook their head under the hypnotizing sweet serenity tunes gain their consciousness by the melodic harmony that differs from the previous section. Without seeing the musical play, one can tell that these parts speak a painful and sorrow feeling to its listeners. As the clouds of sadness temporarily part, the prelude comes to a tranquil close and the ovations from the audience last for about five minutes.

Continuing the mourning theme, Elgar’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in E Minor is set to give the City Hall another depressed atmosphere. Featuring German-Canadian cellist, Johannes Moser, Litton’s successfully captained a very well balanced, perhaps with a more technical rather than soulful performance, and managed to propagate the message behind this musical score to his audiences. Moser’s play is unquestionable, its funny how there were parts as if his bow movements’ is similar to a kid scratching an off-key violin snares, but somehow the sound suits the background tunes perfectly. Completing Moser outstanding performances is the presence of the guest orchestra leader, Laura Samuel. She managed to lead the first violins section to another emotional level during the show.

Moving on to the last part of the concert, Sibelius’ Symphony No.1 become the perfect score to close the night and the theme series finale. For me it is always a treat to listen a classical score from a Russian composer. The iconic majestic melodies and the sophisticated beat can be found in almost every Russian composers work, such as Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich as well as Sibelius’. Though Sibelius is living in Vienna when he composed the scores, he always admires Tchaikovsky’s work, and that explain the first part of the score, which comes with a solid Russian influence. In the end, as Litton’s hand finished its movements, the satisfied crowd starts the ovations as a compliment to the conductor and the BBC SSO for the tremendous performance.

It has been a remarkable performance by the BBC SSO, and Litton has added another kudos performance to his collaboration history with the orchestra. As the post-concert coda, a solo cello performance by Moser performing a selection of short works from Bach, Britten and Lutoslawski become a perfect cheery-on-the-top closing act.


http://www.andrewlitton.com
http://www.johannes-moser.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/bbcsso

Black Swan review

In another brilliant work by Darren Aronofsky, the New York director manages to give a new perspective on the famous ballet Swan Lake in his latest psychological thriller, Black Swan. Not like other ballet movies which usually focus on the beauty of the choreography or romance story, this Best Movie of The Year Oscar nominee focuses on the main cast delusional behaviours. Aronofsky somehow successfully directs the audiences to see how and what the white swan feels and thinks during the movie.

Set in the world of the New York City ballet, the movie shows how Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) playing Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde with herself. Portman is a feature ballet dancer who wins the key role cast for the Swan Lake play, but things do not go as smoothly as she plans, when she founds out about the presence of a new rival dancer, Lilly (Mila Kunis). As the rivalry continues, Nina’s obsession with her role becomes paranoia, delusion and more. This is the part where Aronofsky shows his talent.

Portman’s acting was quite notable. At some moments in the movie I think she IS the swan, but during much of the rest, she just misses it. Generally, it was a good one otherwise she wouldn’t be nominated for this year Best Actress in Oscar. But personally I somehow expected more. The movie also co-stares Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder. It’s hardly fair to judge the co-star's act because most of the focus is on Portman, literally. For example, the seductive scenes featuring Portman with Cassel and Kunis are not strong enough. You barely even see the act. But maybe it’s just another of Aronofsky’s trick to keep our focus on Portman’s character.

Moving to the technical stuff, if you enjoy scenes using one-man camera technique, then you will find this movie interesting. Otherwise you will probably feel dizzy half the time because of all the hand-held stuff. The other thing that will surely capture your attention is the way Aronofsky wants you to see the palette of the settings. Most of it comes in monochrome and pale colours, perhaps from a desire to emphasise the black-and-white or good-and-bad side of the swan character.

The soundtrack also plays a big role in this movie. When you hear Portman inhaling and exhaling while she's dancing or running or crying it just add the tension to the point as if you were the cameraman or you are standing right next to her. Although its a thriller you won't find any suspenseful soundtrack like a violins in Psycho when you reach a shocking scene. Most of it sounded off a classical music with strings, woodwinds and brasses that give goosebumps. A very well done original music score by Clint Mansell. And of course last but not least, what would a Swan Lake be with out the famous original classic tune by Tchaikovsky.

If you are an aficionado of Aronofsky's work then I would strongly recommend you to see this movie. This one is his best work yet. I personally think it's one of the must-watch movies for this year.