KSO This Week: Berlioz’ ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ and Paul Huang in Bruch Violin Concerto

 

When I reviewed the 2017 Knoxville Symphony Orchestra concert that featured violinist Paul Huang in the Beethoven Violin Concerto, I was not alone in sensing that we were witnessing a great young violinist on a remarkable trajectory, and not alone in hoping that our musical paths might cross again soon. 

“…Huang knows his instrument well, the loaned 1742 ex-Wieniawski Guarneri del Gesù. And, he is one with its lovely tonal edge that he used to bring bursts of varying color and embellishment to a work that is itself masterfully constructed of variations and repeats.

Those that hoped for a sublime magical moment were rewarded with one as Huang and [guest conductor Joshua] Gersen moved from the last measures of the introspective Larghetto movement into the ebullient Rondo and its relaxed and sunny disposition. By the finale, violinist, conductor, and orchestra were ready for Beethoven’s clever and spirited ending that pulled the audience to their feet.”

Although delayed by the pandemic shutdown, violinist Paul Huang and Knoxville are happily crossing paths once again this week as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents its October Masterworks concerts at the Tennessee Theatre. This time Huang will be performing the Max Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor.

The second half of the concert will feature Hector Berlioz’ imaginative, ahead-of-its-time work, Symphonie fantastique, the composer’s first symphonic effort. The premiere of the work took place in December of 1830 in Paris and retains the distinction of being perhaps the most accomplished first symphony ever penned.