Beethoven Festival: Fate

One of the standout events in the MSO’s Beethoven Festival, this performance featured two symphonies: the Second and the legendary Fifth. Both are familiar territory for the orchestra, whose confidence shone through the performance of both works. Visiting conductor Douglas Boyd proved a good fit, with his decisive yet empathetic style. The opening work was Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36, clearly fixed in the Classical tradition of Haydn and Mozart. The MSO’s uncompromising attack from the opening note reassured the audience that the orchestra would be up to the famous opening of the Fifth symphony. With most people eagerly anticipating that symphony, it was interesting to observe many hints of the later Beethoven works in the Second, written in 1802. These included ‘dialogues’ between different instruments or sections of the orchestra, winds echoing a theme introduced by the strings, wonderful contrasts as the brass entered. Boyd maintained the continuity, impressed with his control of quieter passages, and throughout abstained from the exaggerated gestures that great works can sometimes inspire in conductors. Latecomers and chatting broke the mood after the first movement before the orchestra settled into the almost Mozartian sweetness of the second movement, Larghetto. A fairly short scherzo led to the fourth and final movement, the strongest hint yet of the mature Beethoven. There was a great build-up to what seemed to be an ending, the strings led by Wilma Smith exhibiting great dexterity and versatility, then more development of the theme before a thoroughly satisfying ending. All this seemed in one sense a rehearsal for the main event, which was to come after interval. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 is a cornerstone of the composer’s legacy as a colossus whose music formed the bridge between the Classical and Romantic periods. The name of this concert, Fate, reportedly owes its origin to Beethoven’s own description of the four famous notes that open the symphony and form the first extended subject: “So fate knocks at the door”. With those unison notes perfectly executed, we could relax and enjoy the magnificent performance that the MSO delivered. There were outstanding solos, but this was a team effort: the orchestra was in great form, and they knew it. There was mounting excitement as Boyd brought the symphony to its triumphant conclusion, with the audience poised to clap, shout, whistle and stamp on the old floor of the Melbourne Town Hall. The venue had contributed little to the acoustics – and lost half a star for this event. But as for the performance itself, you’d have to rate it five stars! Rating: Four and a half stars Beethoven Festival: Fate Symphony No.2 Symphony No.5 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Douglas Boyd Melbourne Town Hall August 11 The MSO’s Beethoven Festival August 6 – 22 www.mso.com.au