Within the often highly regarded post-thanksgiving subscriptions live shows (Friday afternoon and Saturday evening), an instrument extra related to large bands takes pleasure of place on the Symphony Corridor stage as BSO Assistant Conductor Earl Lee leads the sultry, atmospheric 1949 Saxophone Concerto by French composer Henri Tomasi; as soloist Steven Banks makes his BSO debut. The present opens with a really French symphonic poem, César Franck’s Le Chasseur maudit — “The Cursed Hunter” —based mostly on a ballad a few man who commits the grave sin of searching on the Sabbath and is doomed to be chased eternally by demons. The nearer, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, opens with the well-known “destiny” motif, earlier than composer’s nice reward for lovely melody sweetens it. Tickets HERE. Our temporary dialogue with Earl Lee follows.
FLE: Franck’s Le Chasseur maudit (Accursed Huntsman) surprisingly isn’t truly a BSO rarity. Beginning with Gericke in 1901, it was executed each ten years or so up by means of Monteux in 1920. Since then it’s been revived each 20-30 years or so. What accounts for its minor sturdiness among the many Franck symphonic poems?
EL: Sure, in truth it was one of many items of which I made my debut with the San Francisco Symphony. Quite a lot of folks have talked about the robust affiliation this piece has with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, together with the well-known recording with Charles Munch [HERE]. Since then, the concept of probably programming this piece with the BSO was at all times sitting in my head. I’m thrilled to deliver it again to the Symphony Corridor.
How does it stack up in opposition to Ce qu’on entend sur la montagne, Les Éolides, Rédemption, Psyché?
I believe it’s the most virtuosic tone poem of all of them, showcasing the totally different devices within the orchestra. It is among the few items by Franck that makes me neglect that he was an organist. In La montagne, he makes the orchestra sound like an organ, in distinction.
Can I be forgiven for listening to the Dukas’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice? And it’s simply as scary.
One other piece that I really like. Sure, you’re completely proper! I assume it has one thing to do with the primary character being chased. Both by a deluge of water or demon.
Are the BSO horns as much as the dramatic intro?
They’re superb, and I’m trying ahead to it! I do have a bit shock for you. You’ll be able to ask me about it afterwards! However I’m certain you’ll determine what it’s.
Are you a Franckophile? Have you ever carried out any of his many spiritual works?
I, sadly, haven’t carried out any of the non secular works.
Persevering with within the French vein, Henri Tomasi (1901 – 1971) appears to have been interested by wind devices. The BSO did his moderately lyrical Ballade for Saxophone with dedicatee Marcel Mule underneath Munch in 1958. The orchestra hasn’t performed it since, and this appears like the primary time the BSO has performed the Saxophone Concerto
Thanks for this info! We’re all excited to deliver it on stage.
It’s not a troublesome work for listeners, I collect, although at occasions it’s moderately darkish, which isn’t shocking since Tomasi composed it in 1948 in a interval of disillusionment. What attracted you to it?
Steven Banks prompt it after trying on the different items on this system. We fell in love with the piece straight away.
Do you have got any connections with the Banks?
Sure, I labored with him few years in the past in Eugene, Oregon with a chamber orchestra referred to as Oregon Mozart Gamers. Steven performed the Mozart Oboe Concerto, Okay.314 on soprano sax. He’s a very lovely musician.
Have you learnt the primary main symphonic composer to put in writing for the saxophone? (Chant Sacré by Berlioz 1844)
Now I do. Thanks!
Since successful the George Solti Award, you have got turn into busier and busier, with current debuts with the NY Phil and San Francisco Symphony. Do you continue to have time to play the cello?
Sadly, my cello is extra of a furnishings piece within the nook of my lounge. Effectively, jokes apart, I do take it out time to time when I’m finding out. It helps me to suppose within the perspective of a musician within the orchestra.
Do you take into account your self a specialist in any specific repertoire? Something you by no means need to hear once more…just like the Tchaikovsky Fourth?
No, there are such a lot of superb items of music on the market and such restricted time to check all of them. I do have a really comfortable spot for Schumann, notably his string quartets and symphonies.
