The Des Moines Symphony offered classical music enthusiasts an ideal date night on Valentine’s weekend with Love–Romeo & Juliet, the aptly titled fourth installment of their Masterworks Series.
The baton was wielded by guest conductor, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, who led a nuanced program of European masterpieces. Harth-Bedoya’s rapport with the ensemble was remarkable considering this is his first appearance with the Des Moines Symphony, and judging by his impressive resume, the conductor is no stranger to collaborating on a tight timeline.
The evening began with Tchaikovsky’s “Overture-Fantasy” Romeo & Juliet. The symphony vividly brought Shakespeare’s tragic romance to life — depicting the strife between the Capulets and Montagues with churning tension, rapiers clashing with each cymbal crash. In stark contrast, the romance between Romeo and Juliet pulled at the heartstrings with sweeping melodies and lush orchestration. Tchaikovsky’s love theme from this overture has become so iconic that countless movies and shows have used it to immediately conjure the idea of love at first sight, but the ubiquitous tune still manages to pack a punch every time I hear it. Truly a program opener beautiful enough to make even the most jaded hearts believe in love again.
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major was a charmingly off-kilter contrast to its predecessor, featuring guest pianist Anna Genuishene. The orchestra ebbed and flowed beneath as the piano shimmered and swirled above. Heavily influenced by jazz, Ravel’s witty work was a refreshing display of Genuinshene’s fast fingers and skillful artistry. The audience was so pleased by her performance that the pianist came back out for an encore dedicated to a beloved teacher who had recently passed, a poignant moment before intermission began.
The final offering of the evening was Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43. The Finnish composer’s music ranged from refined and restrained to epic and evocative, giving every section of the orchestra a chance to shine. The final movement was particularly moving, building momentum with rising and falling melodies until the glorious conclusion. The ensemble thrived in Sibelius’s musical landscape, delivering a nuanced performance worthy of a composer renowned for his symphonic works.
From the reckless passion of Tchaikovsky’s overture to the quirky charms of Ravel’s jazzy concerto to the uplifting spirit of Sibelius’s symphony, the Des Moines Symphony’s performance displayed a diverse range of emotions, much like Shakespeare’s tragedy. Who needs a date when you can have an entire symphony serenade you instead?
