Anne Akiko Meyers in a shocking efficiency of Fandango on the Grant Park Music Pageant – Seen and Heard Worldwide

United States Grant Park Music Pageant 2024 [2] – Varied: Anne Akiko Meyers (violin), Grant Park Music Pageant Orchestra / Ludovic Morlot (conductor). Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago, 5.7.2024. (JLZ)

Angélica Negrón – Shade Form Transmission
Arturo Márquez – Fandango
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No.6 in B Minor, ‘Pathétique’

The spotlight of the Grant Park Music Pageant’s current weekend live performance was Arturo Márquez’s Fandango. Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers mixed technical virtuosity and excellent musicianship within the three-movement concerto which she had premiered in 2021 with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Taking the Spanish fandango as a degree of inspiration, Márquez created a vivid concerto in three distinct actions: Folia Tropical, Plegaria (Prayer) (Chaconne) and Fandanguito. Within the substantial first part, Márquez explores with hovering melodic concepts and ranging rhythmic motives. The motion presents alternatives to play out concepts that alternate among the many soloist, full orchestra and smaller groupings, and Morlot adeptly guided all of them via the delicate scorings. The highly effective percussion in a number of sections contrasted with the plush melodic content material of others, and the concepts developed into more and more longer sections. Meyers introduced an depth to the efficiency that held one’s consideration, and it was no shock to listen to spontaneous applause on the finish of the primary motion.

The contrasting Plegaria was equally compelling, and Meyers’s sonorous, sustained sound introduced out the motion’s meditative qualities. Within the remaining Fandanguito, Márquez introduces components of mariachi and Mexican-style idioms that develop the thought of the fandango. The GPMF orchestra gave full voice to the plush scorings and supported Meyers’s meticulous enjoying as she introduced the piece to its conclusion. This can be a main work that deserves to be heard extra extensively, particularly within the palms of such a fantastic conductor and virtuosic soloist.

Morlot led a fantastic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6. His consideration to type emerged from the beginning as he introduced out the implicit dramatic distinction between the preliminary sections of the primary motion. He gave full measure to the richly scored sonorities whereas balancing the strings, winds and brass on this outside venue. The second motion started with a straightforward magnificence and the 5/4 meter sounded pure and even, however the center part was muddied with some false entrances and ensemble points. That was not the case for the triumphant march which constructed steadily to the conclusion. The brass was outstanding however by no means overstated, and brisk tempos have been key to the drive that took the piece to the bravado ending. That masterful climax arrange the Finale, which Morlot executed with acceptable type and deft management of the orchestra.

As for the primary piece on this system, it was good to listen to a brand new voice in Angélica Negrón’s Shade Form Transmission, however the nuances of the rating weren’t served within the open-air setting. The penultimate gesture which may be very loud connoted an ending to the viewers, and the applause that occurred interrupted the piece because it continued.

This system was memorable for the Chicago premiere of Márquez’s Fandango, and Meyers is a welcome voice whose musicianship was as hovering because the music she performed.

It will be imprudent to not point out the challenges concerned with coming into Millennium Park for live shows on the Pritzker Pavilion. Strains have been lengthy as a result of intense searches of individuals with baggage. Maybe safety can return to the efficient degree it was a number of weeks in the past for the indoor live performance on the Harris Theater, or the Pageant may very well be moved to a location that doesn’t require excessive ranges of safety for individuals ready to listen to the fantastic performances of the Grant Park Music Pageant.

James L. Zychowicz

Featured Picture: Conductor Ludovic Morlot and the Grant Park Music Pageant Orchestra © Norman Timonera.