Symphony Dominates with The Planets

October 15, 2007

By Diane Peterson
The Press Democrat, page B1

The Santa Rosa Symphony under Music Director Bruno Ferrandis proved it had the right stuff Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts as it maneuvered through Gustav Holst's The Planets with power and finesse.
Ferrandis has promised to take risks and push back boundaries as the fourth music director in the symphony's 80-year history.

Some folks may need to fasten their seat belts, because if this first program is any indication, it's going to be an exhilarating ride.

In the complex work, Holst subscribes to the big bang theory of orchestration, with lots of brass and percussion creating ear-splitting special effects.

It's challenging for any orchestra to hear itself during this work, with so many instruments gathered onstage. The score calls for two tubas, four trumpets, six timpani and six horns, and that's just for starters. The sprawling orchestra is almost a universe unto itself.

On Saturday, the symphony met the challenge of the Holst admirably, with just a few lapses in ensemble marring the otherwise smooth ride.

Under Ferrandis' baton, the orchestra opened the suite's first movement, "Mars, Bringer of War," with a slow, steady tempo that helped ratchet up the tension. Only fools rush into this pugilistic rhythm, which inspired "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars."

A sweet solo from concertmaster Joe Edelberg highlighted the serene second movement dedicated to "Venus, the Bringer of Peace," while the quicksilver energy of "Mercury, the Winged Messenger" was captured by the clear, bell-like tones of the celesta.

In "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity," the cellos lent gravitas to the solemn, central melody -- perhaps the high point of the entire work.

In "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age," the chiming bells seemed to be off in their own world, but the plaintive English horn and melodic strings -- especially the violas and second violins -- brought the movement back to terra firma. Tight ensemble and impressive brass playing made "Uranus, the Magician" truly magical.

Despite the challenge of irregular rhythms and dissonant harmonies, the suite landed safely with the ethereal finale, "Neptune, the Mystic." Kudos to Sonoma County Bach Choir Director Bob Worth and the female chorus for nailing their otherworldly notes.

The Holst piece was accompanied by a video projection of the seven planets described in the work, interspersed with views of the Earth and the Voyager spacecraft that provided the images. The multimedia presentation complemented the music without stealing the show.

Before intermission, mezzo-soprano Jacalyn Kreitzer and the orchestra performed Mahler's Songs of a Wayfarer with mixed success. Though emotionally expressive, her voice was often overpowered by the orchestra, and it took a while for the ensemble and the Viennese spirit of the piece to coalesce.

More satisfactory was the execution of the curtain-opener, Messiaen's Un Sourire, a modern study in contrasts that ended with a cathartic smile.

The Santa Rosa Symphony will repeat the Saturday program at 8 tonight at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. $27-$50. 546-8742.

You can reach Staff Writer Diane Peterson at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com

© 2007- The Press Democrat