Fresh wind is blowing through the Ghent Symphonic Orchestra (GSO) and that is clearly noticeable. Under the direction of the new conductor and musical multi-talented Siewald Degraeve, a heartwarming concert was performed on December 7 in the Sint-Dionysiuskerk.
Degraeve, who was himself active as a musician in the JeMoo, the former youth orchestra that later grew into the GSO, recently had the opportunity to trade in his violin for the baton and with great success! During a public showcase on October 5 in the Sint-Niklaaskerk of Zwijnaarde, I was able to catch a glimpse of the new wind. On this occasion, Edward Elgar's Serenade for Strings and a beautiful work by the conductor himself were performed: "Cyparissus". That's right, in addition to being a conductor and violinist, Siewald Degraeve is an excellent composer. The work Cyparissus is a passacaille for solo cello and orchestra. Soloist Wouter D'Haese brought together with the orchestra an extremely refined and sensitive interpretation of this emotionally charged work. After this showcase, expectations grew for the rest of the concert and indeed, no one was disappointed.
The program of this concert evening consisted of works that contrasted sharply with the rather somber and dark days of the past month. Refreshing works such as the Andante festivo and the suite Mignonne by late romanticist Jean Sibelius resounded in the Sint-Dionysiuskerk. The audience also got to enjoy the fantastic bassoon virtuoso Dakis Mavroudes Troullos. He performed together with the string orchestra Antonio Torriani's Divertimento on themes from Lucia di Lammermoor, a selection of the most beautiful music from Donizetti's opera. The divertimento is originally written for bassoon and piano, but Degraeve arranged the piano part into a successful version for orchestra. The chemistry between soloist, orchestra and conductor could be felt all the way to the back row. In addition to excellent technical mastery of the instrument, Troullos displays an extremely musical maturity in his playing. The audience was completely captivated.
Music speaks and engages in dialogue. Alongside this lighter music, space was also made to reflect on the deep and intangible aspects of human nature. With a very moving double bass solo, Orion Lavín Martínez gave a touching tribute in memory of a dear friend who had passed away too soon.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Schubert's Fifth Symphony. The 19-year-old Schubert wrote this symphony modeling it after the late Mozart symphonies. The influence of the great master is clearly felt in the instrumentation and form. Nevertheless, Schubert stamps his mark on the genre with, among other things, his characteristic modulations. The GSO brought a fantastic performance of this brilliant and atypical light Schubert symphony.
The concert of this evening was promoted under the motto less is more, in which one seeks the grand gesture in simplicity. Indeed, beauty does not always need to be sought in the abundant or the exuberant, and this fantastic concert with its modest program was living proof of that.
For the next concert, the GSO joins hands with the Ghent University Choir. If you want to enjoy, among others, Mozart's Requiem and Degraeve's Cyparissus, then save your calendar for May 7, 8 or 9. Locations: Christus Koningkerk and the MIRYzaal in Ghent.
Short author bio review: Timon de Nood found his passion for music and composition only during his university studies at the bio-engineering faculty. Through private lessons he trained himself as a composer. Parallel to composing, he broadcasts a YouTube channel focused on music education covering classical to contemporary repertoire.
