Reviewer: Connor S. Rousseau
Venue: Malcolm Field Theatre
Saginaw Valley State University had the privilege of hosting an evening of classical music on Saturday, September 21, a perfect way to bid farewell to the season of summer.
The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra held its concert at the SVSU venue, a big change for the orchestra. The Malcolm Field Theatre’s acoustics are nothing to sneeze at, and the new setting suited the orchestra well.
The Malcolm Field Theatre is significantly smaller than the Temple Theatre, but do not think of this as any kind of downgrade. Although the Malcolm Field Theatre holds less people and does not boast the classy, timeless, and colorful architecture of the Temple, the acoustics were just as powerful, especially thanks to the smaller space, giving the sound less distance to travel to reach the ears of the audience.
The concert featured at this event was Beethoven’s First Symphony, a renowned piece of music fit for any period in time. The program featured work by Gioachino Rossini, Philip Glass, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Rossini’s Pas de Six from Act 1 of Guillaume Tell was an energetic introduction to the concert. Without wasting time, Rossini’s Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri kept the energy going. Rossini’s work is often fast-paced and lively, and the composer’s work chosen for this concert was just that.
Philip Glass’s Company took its time, however. While not the slowest of music, it didn’t match the excitement of Rossini, but it wasn’t meant to. This piece had repetitive rhythmic patterns and notes. There were few unexpected twists throughout and it lacked the bold finish of Rossini, and while it was an interesting piece of music with beautiful themes, it seemed to heavily contrast with what the audience had just digested with Rossini.
During Haydn’s Concerto for Trumpet in E-Flat Major, the guest trumpetist George Goad showcased his many talents by playing one of Haydn’s finest compositions for trumpet. Afterward, Goad took the stage for a special treat by playing a surprise piece not mentioned in the program, a beautiful hymn I recognized from church called To God Be the Glory. This solo demonstrated just how well Goad can articulate each note, no matter the range.
Finally, there’s Beethoven’s First. What is there to say? It was everything I could have expected from a professional orchestra like the Saginaw Bay Symphony. Conductor Fouad Fakhouri dedicated the playing of this piece to Susan Erica Hammerton, a member of the orchestra who sadly passed away earlier this month. Beethoven’s First was a fine finish to an evening of class and culture that bid a final farewell to summer.