Syracuse Symphony Orchestra succeeds with versatile music choice

By: Christine Robertson

Posted: 10/14/08

From square-dance music to horror-movie soundtracks, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra provided a sampler of diverse music capabilities and an intriguing set list Monday night in the Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College.

The audience included students, alumni, professors and those who came simply to enjoy the free concert. The program included five different pieces and featured 19-year-old soloist Rachel Lee on the violin and soprano soloist Eileen Strempel.

Music Director Daniel Hege, now in his ninth season with the orchestra, conducted the evening's performance.

The opening performance was "Overture from Candide" by Leonard Bernstein. This operetta incorporated a number of up-beat songs, each composed specifically for the arrangement.
The SSO sounded impeccable in its rendition of "Candide," and it was one of the strongest pieces of the evening.

Professor Andrew Waggoner, the director of the Syracuse University School of Music, composed the second piece, titled "1961, Fanfare." With an unlikely title, the arrangement lacked harmony, giving it a menacing tone. It was like something one might hear during a scary scene in a movie. Nonetheless, it was a change of pace between the first and third pieces.

Lee soloed on violin during the third piece, "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in C Major, Hob. VIIa:1" by Franz Joseph Haydn. In "Allegro moderato," violinist Lee demonstrated a flawless routine of an intricate arrangement. "Adagio," was slower and elegant. The "Finale: Presto" further confirmed her musical gift.

Lee currently attends Harvard University and has studied at the pre-college division of the Juilliard School.

In a world premier performance, "This Unbearable Stillness: Songs For The Balcony," by Libby Larsen, Strempel impressed the audience with her ability to incorporate pain into her singing voice. She sang four poems written by Arab women. An insert to the program allowed the audience to read along as the somber movements were performed.

Kerry McDermott, an SU alumnus who has lived in Syracuse her entire life and has seen the SSO perform too many times to count, said Strempel's performance was the highlight of her evening.

"It's not very often that I get to see her perform," McDermott said. "It was a treat."

The final piece, "Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes" by Aaron Copland, was a crowd favorite. Recognizable tunes came through in the last movement "Hoe Down," which revived the audience with its quick fiddle notes and strong percussion.

"I really enjoyed Copland," said Megan Speidel, a sophomore music education major and clarinet player. "It was familiar to me."

Conductor Daniel Hege assures that no matter how many times the arrangements have been rehearsed, last night was a unique performance.

"There is a certain spontaneity that can't be controlled," Hege said. "It can be a new piece of music each night."

For students like Sarah Marshall, it was the first time hearing the SSO perform.

"My friend dragged me down here," said Marshall, senior graphic design and geography major. "I really enjoyed the variety and seeing, or hearing, so many different things."

carobe04@syr.edu