 "Photo: Chris Huang")
 "Photo: Chris Huang")
On Friday, Gasson Hall was filled with the musical tones of two great classical music virtuosos, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Robert Schumann. The Boston College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Finney, delivered an artistic and first-class performance. The composers's works were chosen to be performed in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Schumann's death and in the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birthday. The night opened with one of Mozart's most well-known operas, The Marriage of Figaro. The music fully evokes the humor and the comedy of Cherubino, Susanna, and Figaro, the seriousness of the mourning of the Countess, and solemnity and enragement of the Count. The arrangement's classically arranged fast tempos and measures evoke the love, wit, and jocularity of the arrangement. The orchestra members played sprightly, each adding to the piece with their violins, violas, violoncellos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets and timpanis. The bassoon especially conveyed the humor inherent in the piece.
The second piece orchestrated was Robert Schumann's "Concerto in A minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 54." Sandra Herbert, guest soloist and BC faculty member, played the piano.
"She is a wonderfully soulful pianist, who can play as delicate as a harp to as loud as the whole orchestra," said John Finney of Herbert. Indeed, the romanticism of the piece was evoked the emotion and passion of Herbert's performance. At the same time, the orchestra took turns with the piano to echo and embellish the sweet melody of the recurring theme. The staccato of the piano part and the pizzicato of the violins served as a link among all the sections and movements.
After a brief intermission, the concert commenced with Mozart's "Overture to The Magic Flute," and "Symphony No. 35 in D major," an earlier piece. Finney explained that Mozart's father commissioned Mozart to write the piece for a nobleman, Haffner. It was a way in which Mozart's father hoped to distract Mozart from his love for Costanza. The piece was written rather quickly and was not performed by Mozart until quite later.
Other than being sensually pleasing 'The Magic Flute' examines the social and political issues of the time. We hear the theme of love and freedom through Mozart's sovereign, radiant and tender note compositions. The performance of the students, John Finney and Sandra Hebert, was exceptional and professional. The audience sat in silence at the richly figured and dignified finale.
The night was a must-see as the house was full and many students stood to listen throughout the performance. The next performance by the Symphony Orchestra is Dec. 1, 2, and 3, and the concert will be a joint Christmas concert with the University Chorale. Tickets are expected to sell out, so buy them prior to the event.
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