CPO's Winter Concert Features Masterful Violin Performance
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presented a compelling winter program this past weekend, featuring concertmaster Diana Cohen as soloist in Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. This annual tradition of showcasing Cohen with the orchestra has become a highlight of Calgary's cultural calendar, with this year's performance delivering particular warmth to the chilly February evening.
Cohen's Long-Awaited Bruch Debut
Despite having performed numerous major violin concertos throughout her tenure with the CPO, Diana Cohen had never before presented Bruch's beloved Romantic concerto to Calgary audiences. This weekend's performance marked a significant milestone, with Cohen delivering what many described as a passionate, technically flawless interpretation that transported listeners back to the golden age of violin virtuosity.
The performance showcased Cohen's remarkable technical command, with challenging elements like fingered octaves, wide leaps, and rapid passagework executed with apparent ease. Her powerful, compelling Romantic sound evoked comparisons to legendary violinists including Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, and Nathan Milstein.
Contemporary Compositions Complement Classic
The program opened with Ian Cusson's IQ84, a short, splashy orchestral piece composed as a companion to Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra. The Toronto-area composer's tonal yet spiky idiom, reminiscent of Bartók and other early 20th-century Central European composers, provided a vibrant concert opener.
Cusson's composition featured vivid rhythms, graspable themes, and clever orchestrations clearly designed to engage listeners. While the piece's connection to Haruki Murakami's dystopian novel and its relationship to Strauss's symphonic poem remained somewhat obscure intellectually, musically it served as an effective fanfare that allowed the CPO's brass section to shine.
Guest Conductor Makes Strong Impression
Guest conductor Jessica Cottis demonstrated clear command of the podium throughout the varied program. Her leadership was particularly evident in navigating the contrasting styles between Cusson's contemporary work, Shostakovich's Ninth Symphony, and Bruch's Romantic masterpiece.
The concert's emotional peak arrived with Cohen's performance of the Bruch concerto's finale, which she delivered with exuberance, sparkle, and élan. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with enthusiastic applause from both concertgoers and Cohen's fellow orchestra members creating a memorable conclusion to the winter evening.
Continuing a Valuable Tradition
This annual showcase of Diana Cohen's talents with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra represents an important tradition for the city's classical music scene. By alternating between familiar masterworks and contemporary compositions, the CPO continues to balance artistic heritage with forward-looking programming that engages both seasoned concertgoers and new audiences.
