I attended the last night of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's New Creations Festival. Of the three pieces performed tonight, my favorite was Jennifer Higdon's Violin Concerto performed by Hilary Hahn.
The composer met Hahn when the violinist was a student at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. No doubt Higdon had immense confidence in Hahn's virtuosity, stamina and musical prowess to write such a demanding and beautiful concerto for her. The first moment started as a dialogue between the soloist, the first violinist and the orchestra. The rhythm was devilishly tricky with a cadenza not for the fainthearted.
The second movement reminded me a little of the pastoral romantic English music in early 20th century but the movement slowly progressed to this quasi-tonal/atonal modern feel towards the end. The piece finished with a breakneck speed movement titled "Fly Forward" and Higdon described her vision with Hahn crossing the finishing line in triumph.
What is even more amazing about this concert was the attendance. The house was almost packed and filled with young people. I'm sure the orchestra's TSOundcheck program and Facebook efforts account for some of the success in bringing in young people. Yet, clearly many of the audiences were there not because they were seeking cheap entertainment but they were serious about music by living composers. I even saw Chinese families bringing young children to the show and everyone had a good time.
Tonight's success shows orchestras and their leaders who are willing to take risks and to educate the public about contemporary music will be rewarded.
Next year at the New Creations Festival, the orchestra is featuring music by Osvaldo Golijov. You bet I'll be there.
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