Kazuki Yamada put on a thrilling display of American musicality as he brought together a rich tapestry of works from across the Atlantic to Birmingham's Symphony Hall. It was a bold and ambitious programme, one that would surely have made the Founding Fathers proud – especially given the centenary celebrations looming large in July.
The main event was John Adams' 1980 masterpiece 'Harmonium', a true tour de force that left the packed hall breathless. A concerto for choir and orchestra, it's a maximal minimalism experiment that whips up dramatic shifts in tempo and atmosphere with ease – from the static solemnity of 'Because I could not stop for Death' to the breakneck pace of 'Wild Nights'. Yamada proved himself in his element here, coaxing out the full range of emotions and textures with every gesture.
But the evening wasn't just about Adams. It was a carefully crafted journey through different eras and styles, with two distinct musical panels expertly woven together by Yamada's keen eye for programming. Aaron Copland's iconic 'Fanfare for the Common Man' segued seamlessly into his 'Lincoln Portrait', setting the tone for an evening that would be as much about patriotism as it was about individuality.
Janai Brugger delivered a stunning reading of Lincoln's words, her soprano voice soaring against a backdrop of string and woodwind solos. It was an unforgettable moment – one that captured the shared sense of purpose and community that unites Americans and Brits alike.
The second panel brought something new to the table with the European premiere of Florence Price's 1941 song-cycle 'The Heart of A Woman'. Lior Rosner's reorchestration added a welcome layer of depth, but the piece itself was somewhat outshone by Joan Tower's 1987 'Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman', which served as a rousing precursor to Price's work. While Price's delicate miniatures were beautiful in their own right, they struggled to find their footing under the expanded orchestral scale.
From the intimate beauty of Price's songs to the thunderous grandeur of Adams' 'Harmonium', this was an evening that showed the incredible diversity and richness of American musical talent. Yamada's curation was spot on – offering a true masterclass in how to programme an orchestra, as the CBSO will demonstrate later this month at the Proms.
Source: UKPulse Media review