L-R Joshua Bell & John Nelson – Courtesy of Brian Spurlock/ISO. Used with permission.
At the conclusion of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night Gala concert, Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell, a Bloomington native, acknowledged his “hometown orchestra,” remarking that “They “never sounded better.” Now fifty-five, and still youthful looking, the renowned virtuoso made his professional debut with the ISO when he was fourteen. Consequently, his generous compliment was no small gesture as the ISO kicked off its 2023-2024 season at the hallowed Hilbert Circle Theatre.
L-R Joshua Bell, Larisa Martinez & John Nelson – Courtesy of Brian Spurlock/ISO. Used with permission.
Conducting the ISO, replete with many new and younger faces with dynamic concertmaster Kevin Lin in the forefront, was its fourth (1976-1987) music director John Nelson. It was an affectionate reunion for Bell and the maestro, as they regaled those present in the sold-out hall, opening the concert with Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.4. Bell, whose virtuosity and passion has not diminished one iota, gave a performance that affected me viscerally, much like numerous times in the past.
As an aside and in the spirit of total transparency, I only review classical music concerts on very few occasions because, frankly, I do not feel qualified to knowledgably do so. Though I love the genre, my lack of formal music education and training limits me. I am conversant in musical theatre, pop, rock, jazz, and cabaret, all of which I cover regularly. However, it is classical music, which I listen to regularly, that provides me with the most inspiration, and touches me like no other genre. And to hear it live as performed by a symphony orchestra such as the ISO, is always a treat. Though I do not have the vocabulary to express how the ISO executes its artistry so masterfully, all I know is that the sounds it produces is magic to my ears and connects to my very soul.
On a personal note, much of my appreciation and passion for the genre is due to the influence of late concert pianist, author, educator, and arts benefactor Marianne Williams Tobias, who wrote the always informative, if not entertaining ISO program notes. Another influencer is my Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC partner Dustin Klein, also a pianist and a music educator, with whom I collaborate to create art. Between the two of them, my love for classical music has only deepened over the years. I would be remiss not to mention that I felt my departed friend’s presence throughout the concert, making it a bittersweet experience. A gifted artist herself, Tobias loved the ISO musicians and will be sorely missed by those, current and past, who knew her the best.
As, I mentioned previously, hearing symphonic music and the ISO, is always a cherished experience and the ISO opening concert was no exception. And making it even more rarified was observing and listening to the world-famous Bell brilliantly interpret the second piece of the concert performed with the ISO, which was Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Demonstrating his ability to meet its technical demands while beautifully capturing its lyricism, Bell’s seemingly effortless performance of this violinist favorite, was wondrous to behold.
L-R Joshua Bell & Larisa Martinez – Courtesy of Brian Spurlock/ISO. Used with permission.
Closing the concert was Bell performing with his glamorous Puerto Rican born wife, Larisa Martinez, who has been referred to as the “smokey soprano,” for her distinctive tone. Together they performed Mendelssohn’s romantic aria from “Infelice” (1834), “Ah ritorna eta dell’oro” (“Cavatina and Cabaletta”), a story about a soprano and her concert violinist lover. The elegant Martinez, who showed flawless vocal range and control stunned me just as she did when she performed as Andrea Bocelli’s guest during his Gainbridge Fieldhouse concert with the ISO in December of 2022.
As an encore, Bell and Martinez performed an excerpt from an obscure Shubert piece titled “Serenade,” dedicating it to Bell’s 88-year-old mother, Shirley who was present. Also attending were Bell’s two children from his first wife, both of whom were situated with their grandmother in box seats. Taking their bows, the couple returned to the stage two more times for sustained standing ovations.
Making the evening especially nostalgic was Nelson’s presence. Seated at the podium for the entirety of the concert, Nelson, who suffered a stroke within the past year, revealed that it was the first time in nine months that he had conducted as he shared how overjoyed he was to be working with the ISO again. His comments drew heartfelt applause from an audience obviously touched by his sentimental homecoming.
Following the concert I joined ISO donors, sponsors, and supporters at a magnificent black-tie dinner at the historic Indiana Roof Ballroom. Greeting me graciously at my assigned table was ISO board member Natalie Furney present with her husband, Nate. Seated next to me was Korean-born violinist Yeajin Kim with whom I enjoyed a delightful conversation regarding her graduate studies at I.U. Jacobs School of Music and experience, thus far, as a second season ISO musician. After dinner, while visiting with friends and acquaintances, I also had the opportunity to meet Bell and Martinez with whom I took an obligatory selfie and did the same with violinist Sherry Hong and with oboist/English horn player Roger Roe and his spouse R. Kent Cook. On my way out, I encountered principal cellist Austin Huntington to whom I asked for an interview, and which, happily for me, he agreed to. The cello is among my favorite instruments and having been a fan of Huntington’s since his arrival at the ISO in 2015. I look forward to sharing his story. Stay tuned.
All in all, the entire evening lived up to its reputation as the grandest performing arts events of the fall season, featuring the largest arts organization, founded in 1930, in Indiana. Finally, having heard some of the finest orchestras on the planet over my lengthy reviewing career, what I believe sets the ISO apart is the orchestra’s tone, consistency, and individuality. It is one we can all take pride in for its reputation as a world class institution. Echoing that sentiment was an enthusiastic ISO fan, seated next to me at the concert. An Israeli American, and a former Indianapolis and Washington D.C. resident, he raved about the concert and the superior quality of the ISO product. I regret that I cannot recall the gregarious gentleman’s name but thank him for his opinion which mirrors and validates my own.
For tickets and information about the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season visit indianapolissymphony.org.
