In the realm of symphonic programming, an orchestra can’t go wrong with the Russians. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, in its classical concert Saturday night at Strathmore, presents a powerhouse lineup featuring Mussorgsky’s entrancing “Night on Bald Mountain,” Tchaikovsky’s ever romantic “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture,” Stravinsky’s dynamic “Firebird Suite” and, finally, a piece de resistance for the talents of BSO Concertmaster Jonathan Carney — Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto.
“I performed the Khachaturian concerto eight years ago for [then-Music Director] Yuri Temirkanov and before that, when I was 16 and a student at Juilliard,” said Carney, who began working with the BSO in 2001. “It’s a very complicated work, and every time you come back to it, the challenges are different.”
| Onstage |
| Evening of Russian Orchestral Showpieces |
| Where: Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda |
| When: 8 p.m. Saturday |
| Info: $39 to $98; 410-783-8000; bsomusic.org |
Inherent in the piece is a unique sound of folk tunes from the childhood memories of Armenian-born Khachaturian. Throughout the piece, listeners will hear a fiery blend of lyricism and romanticism as they also pick up on the exotic feel and folk elements of the work.
“That’s what makes violin music so interesting yet so frustrating because the same challenges never present themselves from day to day, let alone year to year or cycle to cycle,” Carney explained. “The memorization of the last movement is always a bit difficult because it’s easy to take a wrong turn and then you are going back to the beginning again.”
Carney views Khachaturian as an underrated composer, one who writes exquisite melodies, intense and brimming with orchestral colors that few composers can achieve.
“I think he was very much a symbol of the times; he wrote a lot for Hollywood and he was able to create really lush soundscapes,” Carney continued. “I think people will really enjoy the piece, sit back and wallow in the music.”
The concert is conducted by 25-year-old Lionel Bringuier, who is making his BSO debut with the all-Russian repertoire.
“The whole concert is fantastic music, [and] Khachaturian is so exciting, with avant-garde Impressionism,” Carney enthused. “It’s a really beautiful program.”
