San Francisco Symphony presents a recital by Hilary Hahn with Cory Smythe
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA
8:00 PM, Tuesday, April 26, 2016

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[8:03 PM lights down, announcements]

Wolfgang Amadè Mozart (1756-1791): Sonata in G major, K.379 (373a) (1781)

1. [8:05 PM] Adagio – Allegro
2. [8:17 PM] Theme and Variations
   [work ends 8:26 PM]

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Sonata No. 3 in C major for Solo Violin, BWV 1005 (1721-23)

1. [8:28 PM] Adagio
2. [8:33 PM] Fuga
3. [8:44 PM] Largo
4. [8:48 PM] Allegro assai
   [set ends 8:54 PM]

[9:17 PM lights down, announcements]

1. [9:19 PM] Antón García Abril (b.1933): Heart, Partita No. 1 from Six Partitas for Solo Violin (2016, world premiere)
   [work ends 9:31 PM; pause]

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): Sonata for Violin and Piano (1942)

1. [9:33 PM] Andante semplice
2. [9:41 PM] Lento
3. [9:45 PM] Allegretto giusto
   [work ends 9:52 PM]

1. [9:m PM] Tina Davidson (b.1952): Blue Curve of the Earth (2011)
   [set ends 10:m PM]

[Thanks and introductory comments by Hilary]

1. [10:03 PM] Aaron Severini (b.19x): Catch (2012)
   [show ends 10:05 PM]

• Hilary Hahn: violin;
• Cory Smythe: piano;

All in all, tonight's recital was superb. Hilary drew a packed house to Davies hall, and delivered a program that moved from core repertoire classics to under-appreciated works of the past century (!Copeland!) to brand new pieces practically dripping fresh ink.

From my vantage off to stage right in front, I had a good view of the music of both musicians, and it was fun trying to correlate the sounds I was hearing to the place in the score where I guessed they were playing. The second half pieces were especially interesting in this respect, as the notation on Hilary's stand was particularly dense, with lots of swoopy, alien-looking marks. I guess my grade school study can only carry me so far!

I hesitate to name a favorite piece from tonight's list, as it was all pretty good, but I'll comment that all three of the brand new pieces were interesting enough that I'd appreciate hearing them again. Catch, in particular, was especially, er, catchy. A great choice for wrapping things up.

From peeking back stage, it looked to me as if Hilary and Corey were prepared to give us at least one additional encore, but sadly, this was not to be: too many idiots rushing for the doors as soon as they felt safe to go. Seemed kind of rude to me, but then, I wasn't going to be fighting over the first cab, so I didn't really care.

Stephen Smoliar posted a review of the gig at the Examiner, and as is typical, ended by tearing things down. What a drip! If Smoliar didn't enjoy the first half of the show as much as the second, so be it … no need to be a pill about it!

Likewise, Rebecca Wishnia posted a review for SFCV which seemed to me to drip with condenscension. Hey critics! If you think making music is easy, get up off your duff and go play! Slamming folks who are trying to nonverbally communicate truth and beauty via their musical practice is a bully's game. Any snot nosed kid can sit back and point out the zits on their comrades … how many can make all of us forget our limitations?

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2016 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2016 event list! ☸ On to the next event!