Opening Weekend: Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony with Thomas Zehetmair

 

In the premiere of their 67th season, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) gave the audience a grand performance featuring modern music, an emotional double concerto, and a jubilant symphony. Leading the orchestra was Austrian composer and conductor Thomas Zehetmair who rejoined as artistic partner, last seen with SPCO in the 2019-2020 season.

 

To start the night, the orchestra played Passacaglia, Burlesque, and Choral, a piece composed by Zehetmair. The work is a modern interpretation of the classical genre prominently featuring the 12-tone scale. The beginning of the piece was striking and haunting, reminiscent of an organ, even though there were only strings on the stage. The first movement eventually softened and gave way to a zippy second movement in which almost all players set their bows aside to play pizzicato for nearly the entire movement showcasing their versatility. Showcased in the third movement with a beautiful solo was the principal violist, Maiya Papach, who brings such a positive energy to the stage. At the end of the piece, Zehetmair himself applauded the orchestra along with the audience, clearly proud of the performance they gave.

 

Following the modern composition, the audience was treated with Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. The chemistry between concertmaster Steven Copes and principal cellist Julie Albers was unmistakable. They played passionately through each movement and were complemented by the full orchestra. At one point when the orchestra came in as a response to the cello and violin lines, I got goosebumps. The horns and trumpets skillfully made their presence known after sitting out for the first piece and reminded the audience how much they can add to a performance. The audience was so thrilled after the first movement ended, they broke into applause, even though two movements remained. By the third movement it was clear the orchestra was in sync with Zehetmair’s exacting and precise, yet graceful conducting style. Multiple members of the orchestra were tapping their feet on stage, and it felt as if they wish they could have been dancing.

 

To close out the night, the orchestra played Symphony No. 41, Jupiter by Mozart. The piece follows familiar symphonic form with an upbeat first movement in which a few snapped strings could be seen clearly showing the energy the musicians were putting into the piece. For the majority of the second movement, Zehetmair put away the baton to conduct with just his hands. This emphasized the slower nature of this movement. Not to mention that Zehetmair was off-book, or conducting without music, for the entire duration of Mozart’s longest symphony. The piece ended with an exciting final movement showcasing all instruments and it looked like the orchestra was having fun playing it. The audience showed their appreciation at the end of the night with a standing ovation and several “bravos”.

 

If you can, make it to Ordway Concert Hall to see the first concert of SPCO’s 2025-2026 season – you won’t be disappointed.

mattk ♥ wheartm.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic