It's hard to tell by looking at him but this kid is a demon on the violin! We had such a special opportunity last week: some dear friends from church who have season tickets to the Fresno Philharmonic had to leave town to attend their granddaughter's birthday party. So, guess who were the blessed recipients of their tickets!
"Total Tchaikovsky" was the title of the concert, and Tchaikovsky happens to be my favorite composer, and his violin concerto happens to be my favorite composition of his. I think I have it memorized, even though it is too difficult for me to ever play. However, despite my love of the concerto and the emotive precision with which 16-year-old Chad Hoopes played it, the highlight for both of us was the first piece: a symphonic poem titled "Fatum (fate)." Tchaikovsky composed "Fatum" during his 20's and destroyed the final score after it received a scathing review. It was not performed again until after his death when a friend resurrected the piece from Tchaikovsky's drafts, and it is still a seldom-known work by the famous composer. The symphonic poem told a dark, sad story with signs of hope throughout: there was an immense amount of variety is dynamic, texture, mood, and depth. The percussion and brass sections were enormous for romantic music, and it was evident that the conductor and musicians relished the opportunity to perform the piece for the first time in the Fresno Philharmonic's 57-year history.
The third piece of the night was Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, composed 2 years before "Fatum." We moved from the balcony to the 2nd row during intermission, and we enjoyed watching the fast-moving fingers of the violinists, interpreting the facial expressions of the cellists, and listening to the grunts and quick breaths of the conductor. That was our third symphony concert together, and we hope to continue sharing memorable, musical experiences. Thank you, Bob and Joanne Celum, for those tickets!
