Philippe Jordan. Photo: Johannes Ifkovits

Philippe Jordan is continuing to present himself as musical director of the Opera in Paris.

 

 

 

 

Some days ago by conducting the Rheingold premiere, and this week by conducting an interesting program with music with Sea – and Love relations by different composers, together with the Orchestra of the National Opera in Paris.

Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt, opus 27.  (Quiet sea and lucky travel) by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) started the Concert Evening

. Who is not, for me, one of Mendelssohns most interesting pieces. But in this connection it was well chosen for the program idea, and t has the characteristic Mendelssohn form and details that is in the family with his other and more famous pieces.

This was splendid followed up by the beautiful mezzosoprano Sophie Koch as soloist in Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)Poème de l´Amour et de la Mer. (Songs about Love and the Sea). Which was beautifully performed by the brilliant Sophie Koch, and it was a big success for her, the orchestra and the conductor. The many different shades and parts following the text by Maurice Bouchor were brilliantly formed.

After the break came the highlight for me Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). These for interludes from Brittens opera Peter Grimes is a highlight in the music composed to tell the different types of Sea
. Dawn, Sunday Morning, which is fresh and amusing, Moonlight, romantic and beautiful, always reminding me about the two most beautiful Moonlight tunes: Claude Debussy´s “Clair de Lune” and Ludvig van Beethoovens first part of the “Moonlight Sonate”, which both could have been included in this program.

It all ended up with an excellent Claude Debussy´s (1862-1918) ”La Mer”, (The Sea) It´s  a masterpiece, and Philippe Jordan and the Orchestra of the National Opera in Paris kept well that impressions of this fantastic work.

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