A bigger chamber

I'd attended an opera and several other small performances before at the modern opera house in Frankfurt, but never the Alte Oper. It's a building of the 1880s, bombed in 1944, rebuilt in the 1970s and reopened in 1981. I checked out what was on and lucked out with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in the Grosser Saal (seats 2,500). I was chatting with some series subscriber locals (from Hanau, no less, which is already noted in CJ) before the performance and they were especially excited to hear the young Polish/Canadian pianist on the program, Jan Lisiecki. the program was fairly popular: Beethoven Coriolan, Mozart piano concerto no.22, Beethoven 4 and a few Chopins to finish up. I expected a smaller orchestra but it's representing a continent and this is a big chamber. I counted 46 including 3 basses. The opening of Coriolan felt a little wobbly on pitch to my ears but that settled quickly and I noticed such wonderful dynamics, quick expressions, long crescendos, huge variation, so lovely. It's not an easy thing to do. It continued throughout: sweet expression with intention and passion. Sometime a part might stick out, but maybe it should be that way. I wasn't sure. Whatever, I drooled over this ensemble playing. The piano was brought out for Mozart. Yep, a quick and attractive player, again expressive, perhaps a bit impulsive (I could say rushed) on the frequent semiquaver fills. And sometimes lost in the larger sound of the orchestra. Not his fault! It's a request we get often in orchestras playing concerti. Nice to hear it from the other side. I will be more careful! Then an interval and the Beethoven 4 and the Chopin and a warming applause. I think I was lucky with seating. I was in the final row, on a rise, under an overarching balcony. I've found this a good location in Llewellyn Hall, too, and a modest cost. Rear walls, especially those under a ceiling, seem to amplify parts. Nice to chat to a few locals, too, while sad that some conversations are welcomed but fade after seconds given no shared language. It's my weakness for being here not knowing their language, but their strength when they know mine.

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe performed under Andrew Manze (conductor) with soloist Jan Lisiecki (piano) in the Grosser Saal at the Alte Opera, Frankfurt.