Program:
April 28, 7 pm — at the Philharmonia: Berlioz — Overture “Le corsaire”, op. 21, Brahms — Violin Concerto, Op. 77, Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, op. 55.
April 29, 4 pm — at the Philharmonia: Brahms Symphony No. 4, Stravinsky: “Petrouchka”.
This was a triple feast. Roman Kofman — distinguished Ukrainian conductor of many years coming home to show off his new orchestra — the prestigious Beethoven Orchestra Bonn. (He was appointed Artistic Director and principal Conductor of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Bonn Opera in 2002). Number two, with him came our own, world-renowned violinist Oleh Krysa, who, at one time conquered all of the major violin competitions and has since become an international celebrity. True, he visits Kyiv from his USA home every year, but with the Bonn Orchestra in Kyiv this was a first. And third — the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn itself—this was a first visit by a major western orchestra to Kyiv (since Ukraine’s independence we have had Russian and Polish orchestras only).
A short Berlioz overture and on stage appeared Oleh Krysa with the Brahms violin concerto. After a somewhat restrained beginning the concerto blossomed out into full glory with great refinement and elegance. Rarely can one encounter such musical sensibility, such melodic outpouring where every phrase is a gem. This performance was a triumph — opulently acknowledged by the elated audience. Ovation, bravos, flowers did not stop even after the violinist played a violin solo Bach encore.
In the second half was the orchestra’s chance in Beethoven’s Eroica symphony. Its players mostly young and clearly well picked from among the best, esponded to their conductor with obvious admiration. Result — an enthralling performance with the audience cheering, calling out bravos and simply not having enough. After Kofman’s endless bows and then various parts of the orchestra taking bows, they gave in and performed Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 as an encore. Instead of pacifying the audience, this encore caused the audience to simply go wild and the end of the concert seemed not even in sight.
Next day — an afternoon concert called for Brahms Symphony #4 and Stravinsky’s “Petrouchka”. The audience reaction to this concert was a repeat of the previous evening — bravos, flowers, cheering, calling for endless bows by the conductor and various instrumental groups of the orchestra. We are used to hearing Brahms much more often than Stravinsky and this performance of “Petrouchka” reflected the charm of the work — it was simply marvelous.
WINDOW INTO THE WORLD
For the first time in Ukraine’s history do we have a conductor out there in the world who has an opportunity to present Ukrainian music — Ukrainian composers. Not everybody realizes that having your own conductor to foster his country’s music is the only way for national music to become known in the world. Completely unexpectedly this opportunity presented itself with Roman Kofman’s appointment to head the Bonn Orchestra. There are numerous examples of how various conductors and soloists foster their own national music. Mr. Kofman himself has already initiated this process. In his travels with his two other orchestras — the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra and the Student Orchestra of the National Music Academy of Ukraine (let the “student” not fool you, this is a serious orchestra with an international reputation), he has always included works by Ukrainian composers in his programs. Now, in Bonn he has already scheduled a performance of Sylvestrov’s “Requiem for Larysa” for November 28, 2004, to be followed by a work in progress for orchestra, choir and viola by Yevhen Stankovych, and Skoryk’s transcription of Paganini’s 24 Caprices for orchestra, etc. Beethoven Orchestra’s schedule is now complete through 2006, and in 2007 this orchestra will celebrate its 100th Anniversary.
The Beethoven Orchestra Bonn debut in Kyiv with Roman Kofman as its artistic director and chief conductor was a major success and left an indelible impression — a hope for its return to enjoy more of the same music- making on the highest level.
