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The Warsaw Philharmonic filled the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts with the symphonic sounds of a professional orchestra.

Orchestra takes over Jorgensen

By: Eric Nigosanti

Posted: 11/19/08

The opening of Wojciech Kilar's Orawa needed just a handful of violins playing, but it served as suspense to the dramatic entrance of the rest of the Warsaw Philharmonic last night at the Jorgenson Center for the Performing Arts. The overwhelming power of 50 tremendously talented musicians playing together was just one of the musical treats the orchestra provided that night.

In the first piece the orchestra consisted entirely of string instruments such as violins and cellos, but added to their numbers for the second by adding about 20 clarinet, flute, French horn, trumpet, trombone, bassoon and percussion players. This gave the orchestra the more early romantic style needed for the next two pieces: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23, B-flat minor by Tchaikovsky and Symphony No. 2, Op. 73, D Major by Johannes Brahms.

The Tchaikovsky piece ended up being the most memorable part of the night thanks to a mesmerizing performance by the renowned Ukrainian piano player Valentina Lisitsa who played solo in front of the orchestra. Over the three movements of the piece Lisitsa played with a zealous passion, adapting to both the bold or peaceful melodies and whatever else the music called for. The interesting part about the piece was the contrast between what the solo piano was playing versus the rest of the orchestra. At moments when the orchestra was carrying the melody, Lisitsa was in the middle of a flurry of piano playing and at other times the opposite was true. Valentina Lisitsa's compelling performance also proved a favorite amongst the members of the audience.

"I was awestruck it was so good. I don't think I ever saw someone move their fingers that fast on piano," said Valerie Sandin, a 5th-semester elementary education major.

Emily Sandin, a 1st-semester wildlife management major agreed by saying, "The pianist worked well with the orchestra. Even when everybody was playing we could still hear her extremely well balanced playing."

In further consensus was Kellianne Walker of Lebanon. "She was very good," she said. "Her hands were like a blur."

The final piece of the night by Brahms featured just the orchestra, but was a perfect piece in giving every group of instruments a chance to shine over the four movements. The melody was passed back and forth through each section with an overall tranquil tone against some more somber undertones. After ending to a standing ovation, the Warsaw Philharmonic dedicated a special encore to President elect Barack Obama by playing "Stars and Stripes Forever."

One of the world's premiere orchestras, the Warsaw Philharmonic, under the direction of Antoni Wit, is the national orchestra of Poland and has been performing since its creation in 1901. In the 100 years since its founding, the Warsaw Philharmonic has garnered a large amount of critical acclaim, and has released many classical recordings. It has even been asked to perform parts of the scores for both films like the 2002 Academy Award winning movie "The Pianist," and television like the anime series "Cowboy Bebop."