There is supposedly "no video recording or photography" inside the music center, at all times. I have no idea how strictly the policy is enforced. I managed to snap this shot of Kim and Lai leaving the stage.
Program
subito con forza (2020 by Unsuk Chin (b. 1961).
Symphony No. 2, H. 295 (1943) by Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959).
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (1806) by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).
After attending one of their events, I get bombarded with Rutgers advertisements. Not that there is anything wrong with it (except the tremendous waste of paper and other resources), and that's how I found out about tonight's performance by the RSO, with Beethoven's violin concerto on the program. At a cost of $10 (for seniors, plus handling fee), nothing can possibly go wrong.
And nothing did. Indeed I loved the Beethoven violin concerto. Kim did a great job with the piece, and she was impeccable in technique and intonation. The occasional (rare, at that) missed note didn't detract from a well thought-out rendition of the rather long piece. Her violin has a great tone, but a times it sounded too soft against the orchestra. A name to be watched. I say that having seen Hadelich play not that long ago.
The concert didn't start that auspiciously. Neither piece before Intermission was performed at the level of "wow, I am glad to have heard it." The Chin piece required quite a few percussionists, and they generally did quite well. To the extent I understand Martinu's music, there should be a propulsive feel to how the music progresses. I think this symphony calls for that, but I didn't feel that was brought out well.
After the first piece many percussion instruments were removed from the stage, including two marimbas (I think). It took a while. Strangely the piano was left on stage for the Beethoven concerto.
Per the Program Notes the orchestra is training ground for music majors for an orchestral career. Today's college orchestras generally play at a much higher level than when I was a college student; nonetheless, being able to join an orchestra is a daunting proposition. Rutgers has produced some great musicians, and has many members of NJ Symphony on its teaching staff, that may help.
The Program Notes says the RSO's season consists of six symphonic programs, one opera, and two popular programs. I can't find that many on their website.
Lai is the director of orchestras at Rutgers. She reminds one of Xian Zhang, albeit a younger, skinnier, and less energetic version. Interestingly, engineering appears to be her first degree; she holds a doctorate degree from Wisconsin.
The auditorium seats about 700 people, my generous guess is about 400 were in the audience.
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