Sarah Chang Plays Bruch

Yesterday was Friday, 26 March 10. I went to the Esplanade concert hall to enjoy a wonderful concert. Violinist Sarah Chang presented Bruch’s violin concerto No.1, accompanied by Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and conducted by Lan Shui.
Sarah Chang is recognized as most captivating and gifted violinist. She was born in Philadelphia, her parents are Korean. She started play the violin when she was four. She worked with many famous orchestras and conductors all over the world and she only record for EMI Classics. SSO is a premier Asian orchestra, it as a music bridge between the Asia and the West. The music director Lan Shui makes the orchestra reach a high level in the world.
Many friends as me, we all have high expectations for this concert. I watched her play when I was young although is not a live concert, I watched it in the TV program. Her play left me a deep impression. I think she is an enthusiasm violinist. I feel so excited that I can have this chance to enjoy her live concert. There were no empty seats in the Esplanade. When the lights turned down, Sarah Chang together with the conductor Lan Shui moved to the centre of the stage, the audience burst into applause. Sarah Chang going to present Bruch concerto tonight which she said is the first concerto she learned when she was five. Bruch’s violin concerto No.1 is well-known, because this piece’s success, his other 100 works were overshadows. This concerto was completed in 1864, after two years it was premiered. It’s not very successful until the version of the work in 1868. The first movement is Vorspiel (Allegro moderato). The dreamlike second movement is Adagio which shows violin’s lyrical qualities. The third movement is Allegro energico, there is perceptible pause throughout this movement, made this movement lively and powerful. The technique of this violin concerto is not difficult for Sarah Chang, so she played to her heart’s content during the concert. The sound she played can touch audience heart easily, because I found she has attractive vibrato. Although it’s not easy to vibrato in the high range of the violin, she makes the violin sing in each note. She has rich experience in the stage, you can found her action it’s very natural and degage. When the phrase finished on a forte note, she usually swings her bow with a perfect circle. You may feel her action is too exaggerated if the first time you saw about it. Also, she swings to and fro on the stage a lot during her play, because she was so excited or emotive to express her feeling about music. Watching her live concert, you can feel her confidence directly. I feel when she gets on the stage, the only thing she thinking about is how to deliver her musical feeling through her violin to the audience, and she believes herself can achieve that. I think it’s very important for a musician to get on the stage with such confidence.
I got her signature after the concert. That’s my nearest distance away from her. I really enjoy this concert.

Is he too young to conduct?

I watched Gustavo Dudamel conduct Sistema’s top youth orchestra. It’s very fantastic! I found both the orchestra and the conductor are so young!The music they played is not easy but they did it very well! I feel the music they played has much powerful enthusiasm, you totally be infected with them.
As one of the youngest excellent conductor in the world, I think Gustavo Dudamel is a very genius boy who just 29 years old. Some people might think, is he too young to conduct? If I didn’t watch this video, maybe I thought he can not conduct the orchestra well because he’s age, he doesn't have more musical experience compare with the other elder conductors in the word. After I watched the video, I found I’m wrong. When I watched him conducting the orchestra, I found he was very excited, I can feel he has very strong musical feeling in his heart. His conduct gesture is very clearly and decisive, so it’s easy for the orchestra to feel what the conductor wants them to do then they can get the ideas faster. I think the most worshipful spirit from Gustavo Dudamel is he can make the orchestra “dance” with him by using his baton. In the end of the video, the whole orchestra stood up and plays with conductor which is rarely to be seen. Even though Gustavo Dudamel only 29 years old, I don’t think it can be used as an excuse that he can not conduct well in his age. Whether how old the conductor is, he can be an excellent one if he can make the orchestra players feel his feeling about music simply. Then the audience can feel this kind of feeling too. In another word, I don't think we can judge whether a person can conduct or not by just look for his age.
At the end of the video when the last note done, the audience stood up and clap their hands for a long time which can improve how fantastic the concert is! The audience infected with the concert, they like the music the orchestra performed.
Now, do you still distrust Gustavo Dudamel is too young to conduct? I hope him can be better and better in the days ahead.