Whether you are a Michigan or Spartan fan, one thing is certain, if you live in this state, you can’t miss the enthusiasm that these two rival schools generate. It would seem as though the state of Michigan, for that one weekend, is focused on nothing but football. But this year it wasn’t just the Spartans who scored.
The Dearborn Symphony Oct. 2, under the watchful eye of Music Director Kypros Markou, opened its 48th season titled “Passion Too Intense for Words.” The first half scored with the music of Joseph Haydn’s “Symphony No. 88.” The well-executed work gave rise to the notion that “practice does indeed make perfect.” The distinctive nature of the Hayden piece caught the attention of the fans.
“I was cut off from the world, there was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to be original,” Hayden wrote.
Originality hallmarked the offbeat rhythms of this unique work. The Dearborn Symphony delivered. The performance set the tone for the evening’s performance.
The second half featured the music of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 2, Op. 52, Lobgesang” along with the Vanguard Grand Chorus, directed by G. Kevin Dewy. Three all-stars in the lineup were sopranos Amy Petrongelli and Paige Lucas, and tenor Matthew Tuell. The main idea, Mendelssohn wrote, was “a kind of universal thanksgiving on the words of the last psalm (Psalm 150, vs. 6), ‘Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord’” (from a letter, in English, to Henry Chorley).
The theme of giving thanks reverberated throughout the house as the chorus sang out “All Men, All Thing, All that has Life and Breath.” Petrongelli’s powerful vocals of ignited “Praise Thou the Lord, Sing Ye Praise.” Tuell’s soulful voice echoed the sentiment of this great work with passion. Add Lucas’ sweet, delicate voice and there was the three-point conversion that made for an unforgettable field goal.
The Dearborn Symphony’s 2009-10 series continues with “From Poland with Love!” at 8 p.m. Nov. 13, with featured guest artist Kazimierz Brzozowski on piano will present the music of Moniuszko’s “Overture to the Opera Halka,” Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 2, Lutoslawski’s ‘Little Suite’” and Karlowicz’s “Stanislaw & Anna of Oswiecim.”
Tickets range from $15 to $30 and can be purchased at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets also may be purchased by calling (313) 565-2424, or online at dearbornsymphony.org.