Epic Shostakovich 5 from Alsop and the São Paulo SO

By David Smythe, 23 August 2016

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Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 22 August 2016

Villa-Lobos, Chôros no. 10, "Rasga o Coração"

Bernstein, Chichester Psalms

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 5 in D minor, Op.47

Prokofiev, The Love for Three Oranges: March

São Paulo Symphony Orchestra

Marin Alsop, Conductor

Edinburgh Festival Chorus

Prom 51: Passion and Brazilian flair from Alsop and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra

Mark Thomas, 24th August

In true Olympian spirit, Marin Alsop and her São Paulo Symphony Orchestra dived head first into the drama of Brazilian music, with luxurious Rachmaninov and Gabriela Montero freely expressive in Grieg.

****1

Colours, dreams and seascapes in São Paulo

Ivan Chiarelli, 5th December

Celso Antunes and Bertrand Chamayou present the evocative music of Debussy, Scriabin and Takemitsu with the São Paulo State Orchestra.

****1

Volmer/ OSESP present Sibelius, Adams and Beethoven

Ivan Chiarelli, 15th August

In a program conceived by composer and conductor John Adams, Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite, Adams’ own Absolute Jest and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7 sounded in sympathetic resonance with Charles Ives’ Three Places in New England.

****1

Literary influences in music in São Paulo

Ivan Chiarelli, 8th August

Jaime Martín conducts Antoine Tamestit and the OSESP in a night of literary inspired music by Berlioz, Turina and De Falla.

***11

Tito Muñoz, Julian Bliss in São Paulo

Ivan Chiarelli, 6th June

Directed by guest conductor Tito Muñoz, the São Paulo State Orchestra (OSESP) performed a programme centered around the different conceptions of contrast, with music by Takemitsu, Beethoven and Nielsen.

***11

Brilliantly energetic Alsop and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra in Manchester

Rohan Shotton, 27th October

On the final night of their mammoth European tour, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra played a brilliantly energetic programme to a delighted Bridgewater Hall audience. There was a great deal to commend in the playing, despite some capricious tempo choices in Mahler’s first symphony.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.

An epic Shostakovich 5 as Marin Alsop introduces the São Paulo Symphony to the EIF