By Dave Read (August 7, 2022 concert) – Thomas Ades is in the fifth and final year of his position as Artistic Partner of the BSO, during which time he composed today’s opening selection, on commission from nine organizations from all around the world, including, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Australia.
The piece is called Shanty – Over the Sea, and neither reminded me of any of the numerous sea chanties I’ve enjoyed listening to, nor did it seem to leave its mooring – but merely rolled from side to side, at anchor.
He succeeded in wringing brilliant performances from Leonidas Kavakos, violin, Antoine Tamestit, viola, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante in E-flat, for violin, viola, and orchestra.
This piece of Mozart’s music is so uncomplicated to the pedestrian ear, so rich and exciting that one is tempted to relax and stare into space, or even to close your eyes. Today, that would have deprived you half the joy that was to be had watching the interplay among the conductor, soloists, and orchestra. It seemed an un-scripted ballet.
The breeze originating on the far side of the Lawn beckoned us during intermission, in time to stand just off the porch of the visitor’s center and see rain approach, approach, and then soak those citizens of Lawn nation too far from a tree to hug, a porch, or an eave to angle under. And why not, next on the bill is The Planets, Gustav Holst’s suite of tone poems, which was inspired by his reading a book on how horoscopes are cast. No better accompaniment for the relief of a cooling shower in the midst of a stretch of oppressive weather.