Sarasota Orchestra soars to new heights in Masterworks: 'Heroic Spirit' program

After watching the Masterworks Four: Heroic Spirit concert at SCF Neel Performing Arts Center Jan. 30, I think we’ve identified the performance that stands above all others of the Sarasota Orchestra in recent years.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers’ stunning virtuosity in Arturo Márquez’s Fandango for Violin and Orchestra combined with the all-out commitment of musicians and conductor splashed all the treasures of music before us. Everyone begged for more. 

Early in the concert it became clear that Music Director Designate Giancarlo Guerrero has established a tight bond with the Sarasota musicians, who ably delivered a straightforward Beethoven Coriolan Overture, Op. 62.

It was clear, smooth and delivered with marked contrasts to develop a narrative. While heroic in its way, this was not brash Beethoven, but still quite effective with an ebbing pizzicato heartbeat conclusion. 

Not all conductors are as entertaining to watch, nor should they be. However, it is interesting to watch the variety of ways that Guerrero is finding to communicate with the orchestra. 

From the start in Fandango, Latin rhythms set a deeply resonating pulse that bound us to a compelling melodic journey flavored by the Spanish flamenco roots of the fandango blended with the Mexican Huastecan regional style of the dance form. 

Marquez showed his own compelling voice through the progression of three movements, each drawing out the full color of orchestral instruments along with the solo violin through a progression of intoxicating melodic lines.

Image courtesy of David Zentz

Meyers leaned into the heart and subtleties of the music, seemingly becoming one with the whole. With so much beauty drawing us into the Folia Tropical and Plegaria movements, the final Fandanquito shot a jolt of electricity through the hall on the campus of the State College of Florida.

Thrill-factor tempos and virtuosic challenges seemed hardly a concern for Meyers, so securely in control of it all. 

How I wish we could have gotten an encore of all three movements. Music new to our ears, as this Florida premiere was for nearly all, surely deserves repetition. (Those who truly want an encore can find it at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, where Masterworks: Heroic Spirit will be performed from Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.)

As the Sarasota Orchestra launched into the epic world of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47, we heard a large orchestra proudly displaying what it can do with music that the composer described as “a lengthy spiritual battle crowned by victory.” Guerrero held the reins, but the musicians built this tumultuous, and in the end redeeming, soundscape. 

When all the strings – violins, violas, cellos, bass – blend to such a point that they sound like a massive organ, that is notable and honestly not frequently achieved to the extent heard this evening. 

Soloists from the winds and brass each had moments where their individual voices shone through, often offering an olive leaf of optimism, or in the sardonic waltz, yet another note of sarcasm.

The entire percussion section had some heavy lifting to do in providing the threatening backbone to the looming tragedy. 

Guerrero provided his direction without a score and often with only a glance, a shrug and one arm reaching out. Such is his confidence in the Sarasota Orchestra. One could feel the confidence and respect streaming both ways, beyond well-deserved. The clamorous audience felt the same.