The Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and Opera
photo by Jenni Chambers Smith
Michael Wells on the french horn
Dr. Bill Green with the Lee University Choral members
Daniel Weeks
Darrin Hassevoort, director of Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Chorus
Maestro Kayoko Dan
The four minute standing ovation with whistles, shouts of 'bravo' and cheering reflected the exuberance with which the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and choral forces were met on Thursday evening.
The two opening selections were quite extraordinary in beauty and subdued expression. Charles Ives' "The Unanswered Question" featured guest trumpeter Stuart Stephensen and a flute quartet all of whom played off stage to a hauntingly quiet string orchestra. The consonance of the strings was repeatedly and effectively assailed by the dissonance of the off-stage soloists. The combined choruses then sang Ola Gjeilo's "Across the Vast, Eternal Sky." This contemporary, deeply reflective choral setting of Charles Anthony Silvestri's poem related the story of the Phoenix.
Part two of the 82nd season opener was the highly anticipated performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Maestro Dan was truly magnificent in her orchestral conducting during the evening. From her mix of appropriate facial expressions to her masterful, and passionate conducting gestures, she commanded near perfection from the entire orchestra and 100-member combined chorus. A powerful and well-blended solo quartet featured Soprano, Pamela Hinchman; Mezzo, Rosella Ewing; Tenor, Daniel Weeks; and Bass, Peter Volpe. This writer was particularly moved by the work of Daniel Weeks commenting, "This was the best tenor performance I have ever heard of the Ninth." One other superior moment was the French Horn solo played by Michael Wells in the third movement.
Each section of the orchestra played with such fresh excitement and musicianship that I felt that I was hearing Beethoven's Symphony again for the first time. The ensemble of the orchestra was especially solid throughout the entire performance.
Of course, the height of this masterwork was reached as all choral and orchestral forces joined for the great climax of the fourth movement. Schiller's poem, "Ode to Joy," provides the text for one of Beethoven's most familiar, beautiful and exciting melodies. The orchestra was everything one could hope for as the melody began quietly in the double basses and grew through the cellos, other strings and finally the woodwinds, brass and percussion. Monte Coulter's virtuoso triangle technique was flawless during the 6/8 march section. Colin Hartnett's timpani punctuations served as a reoccurring driving force.
Of equal musicality and performance prowess was the combined Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Chorus with the voices of the Lee University Chorale. Darrin Hassevoort and Dr. Bill Green prepared the choruses to a fine professional level. From the softer piano levels through the soaring fortissimo passages, the chorus gloriously interpreted and delivered tremendous musical expression and inspiration throughout the entire fourth movement.
Chattanooga has true bragging rights relating to the cultural gems of our Symphony and Chorus. The level of musicianship all around was not only respectable, but was highly artistic, and tonight magnificently triumphant. The management team, led by Molly Sasse sets a standard and example for outstanding cultural leadership which should be emulated in every city in America. Chattanooga Symphony and Opera...you are an Ode to Joy.
Dr. Tom Hammett