BSO, review by Rebecca Wnuk

Read: What Happens When Talent and Skill Are Combined 
By Rebecca Wnuk

            Augusta Read Thomas' Cello Concerto No. 3, "Legend of the Phoenix" is an ineffably vivifying piece of music. Composed in 2012 and timing in at about thirty minutes long, it's a continuous ebb and flow of intensity, pace and passion.  The symphony uses a variety of woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments to paint layers of euphonic sound throughout the air, never leaving a dull moment.

            The music piece opens with a spectacular burst of notes played on a cello, emphatically announcing its presence. Soon an English horn and clarinet join in, adding a bit of jazz flair. The brass instruments jump around in a sharp and frantic bursts that begin suddenly and are cut off just as fast. The speed and precision with which the instruments play make it evident just how carefully constructed the music is. When the glockenspiel, triangles and cymbals begin playing, a smooth transformation into more melodic, fluid sounds takes place. The music becomes less theatrical, embodying a serene quality that's complemented by the delicate ring of high-pitched bells.

             As suggested in the title of the piece, the cello is always the core of the music- the leader that other instruments follow and build upon. With the addition of each instrument, the energy grows, and Cello Concerto blossoms into a singular, unified work of art- an impressive accomplishment considering how many individual sounds it's comprised of.

            At only 48 years old, Thomas is a clear master of melody, harmony, rhythm, and tempo. She combines all of her skills to craft a dramatic ending for piece, using a cello to close her symphony  just as she used it to open. As the intensity grows and the climax is reached, all other instruments slowly fade away one by one. Finally, only the quiet hum of the cello's strings can be heard, and the piece has come full circle. When the musical composition concludes with a soft but vibrant strum,  it leaves listeners feeling rejuvenated and craving more. Lucky for them, the sounds produced in Thomas' majestic symphony tend to linger with people long after the piece has ended.