Joshua Bell Plays The Elements at Benaroya Hall
It’s always a pleasure to walk inside the Benaroya Hall for an event and tonight would be even more of a treat watching Joshua Bell play his Stradivarius violin. I’ve been a mega fan of his since I first saw the movie, The Red Violin, and was captured by his playing and have followed him since. I never miss a chance to see him when he’s in town as no one compares to his playing. Tonight, would be a special event as he would play The Elements with the symphony, and this would be the West Coast premiere.
Accompanied by the talented conductor Peter Oundjian, the Seattle Symphony and Bell gave a performance to remember. Watching Bell in the front furiously wave his hair in tameless emotion is something everyone should experience. Evidence to his passionate playing is the destruction of his bow hair trying to hold it together with every fast note.
The idea of the Elements was born during the pandemic as Bell thought of creating something around a theme. He came up with the Elements and built on top of that adding a 5th, Space. Bell thought it would be great to have 5 different composers build on that idea and created the unique pieces. Thus, the project was created with five of his favorite American composers.
The pieces created would be five different musical voices combined under the umbrella of the elements. The show would begin with Earth by Kevin Puts, then Water by Edgar Mayer, Air by Jennifer Higdon, Fire by Jake Heggie, Space by Jessie Montgomery and would end with the reprise and finale of Earth. Watching Bell play through these different parts was intoxicating. As Bell and the Seattle Symphony went into the final piece there was an explosion of sound and fury as Oundjian conducted the musicians.
Bell was there for the first part of the event and after the intermission the Seattle Symphony went on to play Johannes Brahms‘ Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.73. This was also so wonderful to listen to and enjoy. The world class musicians are on the list of the best and deserved to be recognized for their talent. They get to play with amazing artists and enhance the experience and mood of the music. It’s always a delight to be in this room and tonight was nothing but magical.
Photos: Brandon Patoc
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Principals List June 20, 2024
Concertmaster: Noah Geller
Violin 2: Elisa Barston
Viola: Mara Gearman
Cello: Efe Baltacıgil
Bass: Jordan Anderson
Flute: Jeffrey Barker, Elements Suite
Demarre McGill, Brahms
Oboe: Shannon Spicciati1, Elements Suite
Mary Lynch VanderKolk, Brahms
Clarinet: Ben Lulich
Bassoon: Seth Krimsky, Elements Suite
Luke Fieweger, Brahms
Horn: Mark Robbins
Trumpet: Alexander White
Trombone: Ko-ichiro Yamamoto
Timpani: Eric Schweikert
Tuba: John DiCesare
Percussion: Matt Decker
Harp: Valerie Muzzolini
Keyboard: Li-tan Hsu (guest musician)