Laredo orchestrates with fervor

Author: Sara Jameson

Featuring pieces ranging from the pervasive energy of Beethoven to the exotic nostalgia of Bartók, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra combined musical grace and vigor in its stunning performance last Friday night. Under the musical direction of world-renowned violinist Jaime Laredo, Vermont Symphony Orchestra is currently touring statewide as part of their 13th Annual Made in Vermont Music Festival.

The program was both eclectic and powerful. At the start of the performance, Laredo addressed the audience, explaining that the program may seem to be performed in reverse - starting with the impressive Beethoven Violin Concerto, Op. 61 and ending with the subtler Rossini Overture to The Italian in Algiers. In between, were featured Bartók's Rumanian Folk Dances, Fauré's Pavane, Op. 50 and our own Associate Professor of Music Peter Hamlin's "Green Mountain Variations." However, Laredo assured the audience that the order "works beautifully," and, indeed, he was not proven wrong. This innovative disregard to convention continued as he proceeded to begin with Mozart's Adagio in E Major - a piece not even printed on the program. The hauntingly beautiful melody, layered atop the rich sound of the orchestra, set the tone of the night perfectly. Laredo proved his mastery of the violin, playing with infectious passion and extreme dynamic sensitivity.

The oldest state-supported orchestra in the country, Vermont Symphony Orchestra has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1934. In 2000, Laredo was named Music Director, renowned for his multiple roles as soloist, conductor, recitalist and chamber musician. Laredo has soloed with all of America's major orchestras including Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia. He has also recorded close to one hundred discs, received the Deutsche Schallplatten Prize and seven Grammy nominations. In addition, he won a Grammy Award for a disc of Brahms Piano Quartets that he performed with his frequent chamber music collaborators Emanuel Ax, Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma. In Bolivia - Laredo's birthplace - he holds the status of national hero, with a stadium named for him in La Paz and a commemorative set of postage stamps issued in his name.

Thanks to Laredo's expert direction of a talented orchestra, the Middlebury performance was enchanting. The sold-out concert hall was brought to its feet after the orchestra's dynamic performance of the Beethoven Concerto. The sound the symphony created was overwhelming, hitting each incredibly high note with amazing precision and passion. Laredo astounded by both conducting and performing a solo at the same time. At times, however, this multi-tasking took away from the power of his endings.

Another highlight of the evening was the performance of Hamlin's composition, "Green Mountain Variations." Hamlin based this piece on a fiddle tune called "Green Mountain Petronella" - a traditional song found in most every Vermont fiddler's repertory. Throughout the piece, the melody is replayed in a series of different variations, each one intended to represent a separate feature of Vermont life. Hamlin manipulated the composition to imitate the falling rain, the hermit thrush, "Champ" the sea serpent and even the drunkenness of hard apple cider. It's refreshing mix of humor and beauty enthralled the crowd. Elizabeth Bowman '09 commented, "I loved Professor Hamlin's piece. It was very cleverly done and fun to listen to." Dawn Loveland '09 seconded that statement, adding, "The piece was beautiful, but also encouraged the audience to laugh."

Overall, the performance was extremely well received. Laredo, both as conductor and violinist, soared with passion and sensitivity. The collaboration between he and the talented orchestra, the program worked wonderfully, touching every inch of emotion and charming the audience with its stirring music.