Husband and I were treated to the Ann Arbor Symphony again tonight.  It was their Beethoven Festival and as always it was wonderful.  They opened with “Fidelio Overture,” the fourth overture written by Beethoven for his only opera.  The second number was Beethoven’s Symphony No 1.  You can read a review of the concert here.

Both were wonderful – the Ann Arbor Symphony plays everything wonderfully – but the part of the evening I was looking forward to most was hearing Anton Nel play the piano.  Born in South Africa, winner of many awards , Mr. Nel is on the faculty of the University of Texas, Austin and teaches piano master classes around the world.  Last night he played the Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor” composed by Beethoven in 1809.

From the first moment I was swept away, in awe of the agility of his fingers.  The movement soars and sweeps with notes coming fast and furious, then becoming sweet and light only to be overtaken by that energizing excess of notes again.  I secretly thought that somehow Mr. Nel must have more than ten fingers, for how could a mere mortal ten produce the sheer number of notes that were floating in the air high above our heads?

If I held my breath in delight during the first movement, I sighed with everyone else through the beautiful second movement.  We were lulled into a  tentative, almost dream-like and soulful world as the fingers quieted, stroking out soft beautiful tones, painting soft pastel moments, soft around the edges and supported gently by the symphony surrounding him.

Then, with no break to warn us, we were jarred awake by the third movement which danced it’s way into our hearts, faster and faster; it was a joyful dance and none of us were allowed to be wallflowers.   The music swept us up and carried us to the end, high on a wave of sound and images.  For a moment, just at the end it slowed and we were almost lulled back to our dream world, and then it all came to a wondrous fantastic joyous finish.

There was a collective gasp at the end and then thunderous applause erupted.  On our feet we all wanted more.  Mr. Nell graciously consented playing two encores;  “Bagatelle” and ending with “Fur Elise.”   The applause was overwhelming and I hope it let him and the symphony know how much we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the magic they created.

If you live in Ann Arbor you must know what a gem you have in the Ann Arbor Symphony.  And not just in the amazing soloists they bring to your city.  There is an abundance of talent in the individuals that play regularly in your symphony.  The next concert is November 12th.  If you can, schedule it into your life.

Experience the magic.