It is possible to enjoy certain symphonic works without liking them very much. Richard Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben” is a prime example. There’s something overbearing about Strauss’ swaggering portrait of himself as Teutonic hero. And there has been no shortage of conductors willing to further inflate the tone poem in vulgar, smothering floods of sound.
Not Manfred Honeck. His “Hero’s Life,” which anchored the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s “Afterwork Masterworks” program Wednesday at Symphony Center, may have suffered a few smudged details here and there, but so many of the insights the Austrian conductor brought to the piece made one respect the music almost in spite of itself.
Honeck, the Pittsburgh Symphony’s music director-designate, knew how to harness the power of this mightiest of Strauss orchestras. The love music proved warmly expansive, the critics chattered venomously and the battle raged with firmly controlled fury.
The CSO, which gave the U.S. premiere in 1900 and has practically owned “Heldenleben” ever since, delivered nobility of phrasing and fullness of sound without undue heaviness. Concertmaster Robert Chen caught the seductive, scolding, capricious nature of Frau Strauss in his long and ornate violin solos.
Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto No. 1 set off the big Strauss work with French music that wears its elegant craftsmanship lightly. Principal cellist John Sharp brought out the delicacy and charm of its long-lined melodies, sailing through the racing passage work with both style and aplomb.
You have two more chances to hear Honeck and the orchestra, Friday and Saturday. Verdi’s “Forza del Destino” Overture completes the subscription program.
It was a good week for cello soloists at Orchestra Hall. A sold-out auditorium listened raptly, for the most part, as Yo-Yo Ma played three of J.S. Bach’s suites for unaccompanied cello on Tuesday.
The cellist’s readings of Suites 2, 3 and 6 shone a revealing light on Bach’s compositional craft while pointing out a wealth of expressive nuance, particularly in the expansive preludes. The quick movements danced with a wonderful rhythmic buoyancy, while the slow sarabandes gathered one up in their sad, stately embrace.
CSO with Manfred Honeck
When: 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Symphony Center; 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Tickets: $19-$124; 312-294-3000
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jvonrhein@tribune.com
