Schelomo

I had the privilege of attending a concert at the Hilbert Circle Theater tonight. It featured cellist Zuill Bailey as soloist on Ernest Bloch's Schelomo and Nico Muhly's new Cello Concerto, together with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They also performed Camille Saint-Saens' Symphony No.3, the “Organ Symphony.” It was wonderful!

I had heard Schelomo several times previously (never performed live, only recordings). But I had not realized that the piece took its inspiration from the first chapter of Ecclesiastes. And so the title, “Solomon,” suddenly made sense to me. The piece is one of many to which a recording does not do justice. Although the Saint-Saens piece is a longtime favorite of mine, I think that Schlomo was the one I most enjoyed at the concert – and not only because I discovered that it combines my interest in 20th century music and Biblical reception!

I also learned that Bailey has made a recording of Korngold's Cello Concerto, and obviously I will need to get myself a copy, since Korngold is one of my favorite composers!

They were recording the concert, and so that also represents another first for me: hopefully one day in the not too distant future, I will own a CD about which I can say, “I was there in the audience when this performance took place”!

I would be doing a disservice if I ended this post without mentioning that the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is nearing the end of a crucial fundraising campaign, which will determine whether the orchestra can continue to do the kind of work it has been doing in the way that it has been doing. And so if you are someone who cares about Indianapolis and/or music, please consider giving.