“Majestic – Lu created a sense of urgency throughout, making it so that I couldn’t take my eyes off of the keys for fear of missing even the smallest of moments.”
There is one word that perfectly encapsulates Edinburgh’s iconic Usher Hall – majestic. From the rich red velvet seats, to the deep mahogany organ overseeing the entire affair, everything about the venue is grand in the realest sense. This couldn’t have been a more perfect setting for the SCO’s orchestral performance this Thursday evening, which included three beautiful pieces that captured the majesty of the Nordic landscape.
In just an hour and a half, I was taken to three Nordic countries – whisked away to enjoy a summer night in Sweden with Angela Tarrodi’s Lucioles; then lakeside in Norway to enjoy Grieg’s Piano Concerto; and finally to a firefly laden Finland, where Sibelius’ 5th Symphony dreamily brought the evening to a close. Conductor Ryan Bancroft was our guide through it all, and though he got off to a slow, stiff start – distracting us from and even seeming to misunderstand the first piece entirely – he was able to regain momentum and be the leader we needed him to be.
Lucioles opened the night with a light haze, a distant hum over the horizon. The two percussionists were absolutely stunning performers, creating a rolling soundscape that made the room feel as if it were un-ending. With a constant, balanced interplay between twinkling and tension, Tarrodi’s composition, and the subsequent performance, captured the fear that can come from witnessing beauty that we cannot comprehend, that is too much to take in all at once. I, myself, never know how to put this feeling into words; thus, it felt amazing to hear it encapsulated through such a gorgeous piece of music.
Shining star of the evening was Eric Lu, soloist for Grieg’s Piano Concerto. It is taking a lot of restraint not to use up my word count on his performance, for it struck me very deeply, and will stick with me for a long time to come. The way Lu commanded the stage while also being a truly generous performer was nothing short of beautiful. Though the piece itself was rather peaceful even in its most intense moments, Lu created a sense of urgency throughout throughout, making it so that I couldn’t take my eyes off of the keys for fear of missing even the smallest of moments. The graceful, wistful, and playful sounds of the piano melted perfectly into the sounds of the orchestra, and would cut through only when Lu wanted them to, providing a most wonderful surprise each time. Lu did not just play this piece for us to enjoy – he capital P PERFORMED it – and I feel lucky that I got to bear witness to the magic Lu created this night.
Sibelius’ 5th Symphony closed out the night, and unfortunately, it did not grab me the same way the other pieces did. It felt like a weak, quiet ending to a programme that had been so strong, so powerful. Beyond its connection to Finland, I’m not entirely sure why it was included in this lineup when it didn’t have anything to add. That being said, the musicians all did a wonderful job – specifically the first chair violin and the first chair flautist went above and beyond to truly embody this piece through their performances.
All in all, it was a lovely Thursday evening spent with the SCO, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for Eric Lu.