Young musicians lift mood at concert

Great art should not just ornament our lives. Ideally, it should have an impact on our lives, act as a catalyst and create change. And while it may seem an exaggeration, I believe that Sunday’s concert by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra was life changing.

Let me explain. The morning had been gloomy, with clouds and rain following a stormy night. The mood of the audience at the start of the concert seemed distracted and subdued.

But as the afternoon progressed, an amazing group of young people shared their talent and passion for music, and the mood lifted. It was invigorating to see high school students from all over Maine show such focus and professionalism.

The first mood-lifter was a rousing version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” launching the audience to its feet as voice after voice joined in.

Next, director Xiao-Lu Li led the orchestra in Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D.759. This so-called “Unfinished Symphony,” written during a time of chaos in the composer’s life, alternated beautiful melodies with dissonant passages full of anxiety and angst.

Despite some plodding moments in the second movement, when the horn section and basses came in together, any clumsiness en suite was offset by elegant ensemble horn work and a lyrical oboe passage.

After enthusiastic applause, BSO Executive Director Susan Jonason took the stage to introduce and honor 13 young All-

State musicians representing high schools from Caribou to Waldoboro and lots of towns in between. Also playing among the orchestra regulars were 12 guest musicians from the Bangor High School orchestra.

John Bapst Memorial High School student Reed Gochberg then was introduced as the 2004 BSO Maine High School Concerto Competition winner. Gochberg went on to demonstrate why she was the winner with a virtuoso flute performance of Albert Franz Doppler’s Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise, Op. 26.

After the intermission, another aspect of youthful genius was revealed as the BSO strings performed the touching and passionate “Elegy,” written by Bangor High School junior Jue Wang in memory of a much-loved teacher and coach. This piece revealed its Samuel Barber roots, but nevertheless was a distinct and moving piece.

Concluding the concert was L’Arlesienne: Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet, a lively series of textures, including a saxophone and French horn duet as well as a beautiful folklike melody performed by harpist Molly Hahn and All-State flutist Melissa Riego.

At the end of the day, there was some kind of epiphany. One remark overheard was, “After this, I have complete confidence in the younger generation.”

Everyone was smiling. Everyone was chatting, laughing, shaking hands. It felt like the last day of school. And outside the sun had come out, the crab apples were blooming and a breeze of youthful hope moved the tender daffodils.

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s 109th season will begin Oct. 10. For information, call 1-800-639-3221 or look online at bangorsymphony.com.