Striking Fire From The Soul

Conducted by Donald Palma, Symphony by the Sea created another magical evening for a rapt audience on Sunday, March 23 rd , at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly. The program was designed to show Beethoven transitioning from the restrictive forms of Classicism to a bold journey of emotional expression which must have been shocking to the aristocratic Viennese audiences of the early nineteenth century.

Symphony No. l, in C Major was written in the classical tradition of Haydn and Mozart. Joshua Brown, a brilliant violinist from New England Conservatory, touched the audience with a sensitive performance of “Romance in F major,” composed for violin and orchestra during the end of the Classical period. Joshua’s performance was both dignified and sentimental.

The final selection, Symphony No. 8, is dramatically Romantic. Here Beethoven left the the restrictive forms of Classicism to the new moods of Romanticism. He wrote faster, lighter, and more rhythmically. Beethoven transitions from Classical to Romantic music by pushing the boundaries of form and structure and emphasizing individuality. He believed that “Music ought to strike fire from the soul of a man.”

A delightful moment was when the Conductor demonstrated the tones of the newly invented Metronome, which proved to be an invaluable tool to Beethoven and other composers.
The Cabot Theatre continues to host impressive concerts in all types of musical genres! The last concert of this series will be “Paris Rendevous,” featuring the works of Bizet, Debussy, Faure, and Ravel on May 4.

Bravo to Symphony by the Sea!

Review by Peter Grimshaw for the Plymouth Performing Art's Network