The petite but mighty Eunice Kim shows her musical prowess as part of this weekend’s concert with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. With grace and fierce agility, Kim masterfully performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, in a program that also features Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Seven Dances after the Ballet “Les malheurs de Sophie” by Jean Françaix.
The program opens with Françaix’s light-hearted suite, drawn from a children’s story. Françaix wrote “Les malheurs de Sophie” (The misfortunes of Sophie) in 1935 when he was just 21, based on the beloved book by Sophie Rostopchine, Countess of Ségur, a Russian emigre living in France. Later in life, he returned to the ballet score, arranging a selection of the tunes for ten winds.
The spirited music carries a vivid, dance-like spirit. As the ensemble plays, you can almost imagine ballet dancers enacting the mischievous adventures of young Sophie. The SPCO hasn’t collaborated often with live dancers in recent years (a performance by electronic musician Jlin featuring four SPCO players and Brazilian tap dancer Leonardo Sandoval was a recent exception), but Françaix’s buoyant score makes a convincing case for considering such a collaboration in the future.
It’s whimsical, effervescent music, beginning with the angular “Le jeu de la poupée” (The Doll Game). Françaix uses the wind ensemble to create a lively back-and-forth between the bright timbres of flutes and oboes and the richer tones of clarinets and bassoons. Even in more somber moments, like the “Funérailles de la poupée” (doll’s funeral), a clever, curious mood emerges. The work’s fast and zippy ending makes for a lively conclusion.
Performing Saint-Saëns’ concerto, Kim shows proficiency and poise, with the ability to make her notes angelic. Flawless as her bow leaps across strings, her fingers vigorously nailing each note of the rapid scales, arpeggios and double stops, she equally masters the legato sections, employing a satiny tone in the softer moments.
During the second movement, Andantino quasi allegretto, Kim makes her instrument sound like a harmonica, as she taps her fingers ever so slightly on the strings, without pushing down on the keyboard, creating effervescent sound.
After intermission, the orchestra performs Beethoven’s first Symphony, beginning with its unusual pizzicato beginning. After a short conversation between the plucked strings and the wind instruments, the first movement sees the strings enter more strongly with bowed notes in music that builds with rigorous energy.
The second violins introduce the second movement with a soft, lilting quality, creating music that’s elegant and musically complex. The articulation of the prominent two-note slurs feels precise, maintaining a graceful, singing quality throughout the movement.
The third movement, Allegro molto e vivace, flies by at exhilarating speed, propelled by tight ensemble playing. The finale provides a masterful, almost meteorological, close. The rapid violin flurries and intensity of the final passages conjure the distinct feeling of a storm gathering force, perfectly mirroring the cold weather sweeping through Minneapolis this weekend.
Of note for all SPCO performances this month, federal government employees can reserve free tickets to SPCO performances. Use code FED25 online or by phone at 651-291-1144 to order, then pick up at will call with federal ID.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
What: SPCO’s Eunice Kim Shines in Saint-Saëns’ 3rd Violin Concerto
When: 7 p.m. Sat. Ordway, 2 p.m. Sunday at Ted Mann Concert Hall.
Where: Saturday: The Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. Sunday: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth Street S. Mpls.
Accessibility: Ordway: Elevators access all floors of Concert Hall, accessibility seating for all mobility devices (request when buying tickets); service animals welcome (inform ticket representative); listening units and large print available upon request. One single occupancy, accessible restroom in the Music Theater lobby. Ordway.org/visit/accessibility. Ted Mann Concert Hall: Access via south side power door entrance. Elevator and adapted restrooms available.
Capsule: From Françaix’s playful ballet suite to Beethoven’s stormy finale, the program offers lightness and drive in equal measure.
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