Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 10/9 Liberace lives! Well, not really, but Chinese phenom Lang Lang's facial expressions as he turned to the Severance Hall audience and his dazzling diamond-looking lapel pin did evoke the memory of the beloved pianistic icon. Lang Lang and the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Franz Welser-Most, earned a standing ovation in the crowded hall for their performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Opus 11.

Many solo passages were truly sublime, especially the second movement when the pianist showed loving restraint, slowly allowing the lyrical love theme to woo us with pauses and then -- ah -- completion. The rest of the program was a bit more mixed. Jacques Ibert's "Escales" (Ports of Call) did suggest the cruise that inspired it --especially the second movement (Tunis-Nefta) with the alluring oboe solo that conjured up images of snakes and belly dancers. On the other hand, I can't think when I've heard a faster version (or a more perfunctory one) of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor. That opening knock on the door sounded like a UPS guy in a big hurry rather than fate's thunderous clamor.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly lkennellyATgmail.com
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