Bach to Orff

Last night we heard the Cleveland Orchestra, Chorus, Children's Chorus and three outstanding soloists performed Orff's Carmina Burana at Severance Hall. No less exciting, but much different in tone, was the opening work: Bach's Concerto in A major for oboe d'amore and orchestra, with soloist Robert Walters. Because of Franz Welser-Most's back problems, James Feddeck, the orchestra's assistant conductor, was on the podium.

A couple of quibbles: Feddeck is a dynamic conductor, perhaps a little over-dynamic on the Bach, looking sometimes like a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars".  There were times in the Orff when not all forces were quite in synch, and chorus director Robert Porco's penchant for clear diction resulted in a rush of annoying "ssss" sounds in the opening and closing "O Fortunas."

But, having said that, this is a concert that demands to be heard, and if possible, seen. The Bach piece on Walters' oboe d'amore was ravishingly beautiful. The Chorus and Orchestra overwhelmed the hall with the dynamics and rhythms of the Orff. The Children's Choir was perfect (how did they get them to stand so still for so long when they weren't singing?). And the vocal soloists turned the evening into first-rate operatic performances: soprano Rebecca Nelson was deeply in love; baritone Stephen Powell was obviously drunk; and tenor Nicholas Phan was everything a roasted swan could ever be. His performance alone was worth the price of admission.

So, if you live in the Cleveland area, get yourself to Severance Hall this weekend. If you can't do that, I understand the concert will be broadcast and streamed live on WCLV-FM on Saturday night at 8:00 pm, eastern daylight time. If you don't know Carmina Burana, I am sure you can find the words on line. Have fun with it, however you get to it. It is, after all, spring...even in northeast Ohio.