Fort Worth Symphony Celebrates Italian Influences in Berlioz and Sibelius Works
Review: Fort Worth Symphony plays Italian-inspired works by Berlioz and Sibelius
Image: Dallas News
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra concluded its classical season with a concert titled 'An Evening in Finland,' featuring Hector Berlioz's 'Harold in Italy' and Jean Sibelius's Second Symphony. While the performance showcased the contrasting styles of both composers, the execution highlighted some balance issues, particularly with the viola's prominence against the orchestra.
- 01The concert featured Hector Berlioz's 'Harold in Italy,' which is inspired by his travels in Italy during 1831-32.
- 02FWSO principal violist DJ Cheek performed the solo viola part, which was described as a rare outing for the instrument.
- 03Jean Sibelius's Second Symphony, sketched during a trip to Italy in 1901, incorporates Italian melodies within its Finnish character.
- 04The performance faced balance issues, particularly with the viola being overshadowed by the orchestra's larger sounds.
- 05Music director Robert Spano emphasized contrasts in Sibelius's symphony, which some audience members found less cohesive.
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The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's recent concert, titled 'An Evening in Finland,' marked the end of its classical season with a program featuring works by Hector Berlioz and Jean Sibelius. The first half of the concert showcased Berlioz's 'Harold in Italy,' a unique hybrid of symphony and concerto inspired by his travels in Italy. The piece features a prominent solo viola, performed by FWSO principal violist DJ Cheek, who delivered a range of expressive tones, although at times struggled to be heard over the orchestra. The second half presented Sibelius's Second Symphony, which, despite its Finnish roots, was influenced by the composer’s Italian trip in 1901. The performance, however, drew attention for its balance issues, with the orchestra's dynamics overshadowing the subtleties of the viola. Music director Robert Spano's interpretation emphasized contrasts, which some listeners felt detracted from the overall coherence of the symphony. The concert will repeat on Saturday and Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
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The concert provides an opportunity for local residents to experience classical music and engage with cultural programming in Fort Worth.
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