Filed under: Reviews | Tags: Golan, Holst, Lamont Symphony, Phoenix Youth Symphony, Rous, Sailer, The Planets
Sunday afternoon, January 17, the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver gave a very exciting performance of one enormous and very difficult work: “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. This was a cooperative effort between the Lamont Symphony, conducted by Lawrence Golan, the Phoenix Youth Symphony, conducted by Benjamin Rous, and the Lamont Women’s Chorus, conducted by Catherine Sailer. The combination of the Lamont Symphony and the Phoenix Youth Symphony created an enormous orchestra comprised of college age and high school age musicians. This orchestra was combined with the Lamont Women’s Chorus which was required for the performance of “The Planets.” The Phoenix Youth Symphony is quite similar, of course, to Denver’s own DYAO.
Holst was an English composer whose grandfather was from Latvia and emigrated to England where he became a very well known harp teacher. Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was always interested in Hindu spiritualism and became quite interested in astrology through his friendship with Clifford Bax, the brother of English composer Arnold Bax. He began work on “The Planets” around 1913 shortly after Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” was premiered, and there is no question that “The Planets” bears some influence of Stravinsky, particularly in its complex rhythms. “The Planets” is an enormous orchestral suite with the names of the planets Mars, the Bringer of War; Venus, the Bringer of Peace; Mercury, the Winged Messenger; Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity; Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age; Uranus, the Magician; and Neptune, the Mystic, the only movement to use a woman’s chorus. Notice that Earth is missing. The reason for this is that the suite does not depict or have anything to do with planetary science, but has everything to do with Holst’s interest in astrology. Holst composed almost 200 works, but “The Planets” was the first composition of its kind to come from an English composer. No English composer had ever used the orchestration evidenced in this composition, nor the harmonies and the complicated rhythm.
Make no mistake about it: this is a difficult piece, not only for a university orchestra, but certainly for a youth orchestra. The Phoenix Youth Symphony deserves a great deal of credit for being able to perform this piece, but also both orchestras deserve a lot of credit for putting it together in two days. It was an absolutely enthralling performance, and the audience automatically, and without hesitation applauded after every movement.
What was so noticeable was the conductor Lawrence Golan’s ability to inspire the students in this vast span of ages. Before the performance, many of the students were in the lobby talking about everything that concerns young people today. Some of the PYS members were mingling with the Lamont Orchestra members. But when it was time for them to go into the hall, every one of them sat down and became serious professionals at their art. It was abundantly clear that members of both orchestras are excellent musicians. In another review of a student conducting recital that I wrote, I make the comment that the Lamont Symphony Orchestra played in tune. I certainly say that again, and it also applies to the Phoenix Youth Symphony. If these young musicians can play in tune, why can’t our own community orchestras play in tune? And again, every orchestra member on the stage in Gates Hall played with incredible intensity and conviction which is sometimes missing from our own community orchestras. It was plainly obvious that these musicians were being strongly moved by the music itself, and I saw at least one member of the Lamont Symphony who was moved to tears because of the music. That is the way it should be, and that is the kind of conviction and soul and understanding of music that it takes to become a career musician. Watching Dr. Golan conduct made it obvious that he was communicating with them in a very profound way, and that they cherished this experience of playing with a university orchestra. There were some outstanding solos in this concert, but unfortunately I do not know the names. The concert master, who I believe to be Hannah Barton, gave a wonderful violin solo in Venus. In Mercury there was a wonderful oboe solo – Katrina Maxcy? I simply could not see who was playing. And a great cello solo – Peter Eom. But you must realize as well, that the members of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, for this performance to be done so well as it was, had to have provided quite a bit of guidance even through their attitude for the members of the Phoenix Youth Symphony. They are to be given credit for that influence even if they were not particularly aware that they were setting an example for the younger students at the time.
Of course, it must also be recognized that the conductors Lawrence Golan, Benjamin Rous, and Catherine Sailer, are individuals who like what they do – and it is also apparent that they like teaching – for they gave everyone on stage the stamina and courage and confidence to make everything musical a very special case.
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I couldn’t agree more with Robin McNeil’s review of “The Planets”. My 10 year old daughter and I attended the concert and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are both familiar with “The Planets” and have our favorites. She prefers Mars and I enjoy Venus, though Jupiter also moves us.
As I looked out from the third level box seat over the two orchestras it was wonderful to see how well they played together. The concert was a wonderful experience for both of us and we will be watching for more Lamont Symphony concerts.
Comment by Mark Shoemaker January 18, 2010 @ 5:26 pmI was one of the Phoenix Youth Symphony 2nd violins, and I must say that it was an excellent experience. I learned so much. The experience of being in the middle of an orchestra that large is overwhelming. It is better than any surround sound system out there. I am so glad that there are orchestras out there willing to play with us youth musicians.
Comment by Pearl January 19, 2010 @ 9:38 pm