Opening the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s 2009-10 season, Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter returned to Boettcher Concert Hall to perform Robert Schumann’s moody and melodic Piano Concerto in A minor.
Alongside music director Jeffrey Kahane, Fliter lived up to her reputation, bringing her characteristic warmth and powerful technique to bear on the thematically dark and sober work.
In the first movement, Fliter and Kahane glided through the dizzying progression of emotions, culminating in Schumann’s lengthy cadenza in which the virtuosa boldly battled its emotional conflicts. It was in the second movement, however, that her profound expressiveness illuminated the intermezzo’s elegant, elegiac lines.
In the finale, the CSO kept tempo as Fliter raced through affirming, upward-reaching themes. Immersed in the metric ambiguities of the movement, Kahane and Fliter danced and skipped through colorful, exuberant passages that signal the triumph of optimism.
Upon an enthusiastic ovation, the poised and graceful pianist delivered a serene rendition of a Chopin waltz as encore.
Also on the program were two works by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, including “Brazilian Impressions.” The first movement, “Tropical Night,” showcased the CSO’s refined delivery of impressionistic themes at a slow, deliberate pace that nevertheless kept a forward momentum.
“Butantan,” the second movement, is edgier and more tense — not surprising given that its inspiration was a snake farm visited by the composer. Here, tambourines and clarinets give voice to reptile pits.
In Respighi’s passionate “Pines of Rome,” Kahane and the CSO — in top form throughout the program — superbly depicted a moving montage of sceneries, ceremonies and children at play.
Following a silent tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11 — introduced by James Palermo, CSO president and chief executive — the program opened with John Adams’ “Short Ride in a Fast Machine.” Kahane led the frenetic fanfare for orchestra with unbounded energy.
Standout performances showcased the CSO brass section, principal harpist Courtney Hershey Bress, principal oboist Peter Cooper and the debut of the CSO’s talented new principal cellist, Silver Ainomäe.
Regrettably, attendance at the concert was conspicuously low.
The program will be repeated today at 7:30 p.m.
