Modern Music Shines: ORF RSO Vienna and Thomas Adès Dazzle

The ORF RSO Vienna, under the baton of composer-conductor Thomas Adès, delivered a compelling performance showcasing the vibrancy of modern music. The concert featured works by György Kurtág, Charles Ives, and Adès himself, demonstrating the orchestra's versatility and Adès' command of diverse contemporary styles.

Charles Ives' 'The Unanswered Question' was staged with striking originality. Adès positioned the string players outside the hall, their sound reaching the audience like a distant memory, while the brass posed the central question from the organ loft. Only the flutes remained on stage, offering a chattering, 'confused' commentary, creating a unique sonic and spatial experience.

The program's centerpiece was György Kurtág's Double Concerto for Cello and Piano. This was followed by Adès' 'Lieux retrouvés,' a piece that, while sometimes evoking conventional sounds, also ventured into unexpected territory, with one movement humorously described as a 'descent into the valley' and another a 'dance of the dead' to distorted Offenbach.

The concert concluded with Tchaikovsky's 'Francesca da Rimini,' a fitting choice for its wild and stormy character. The performance, with its dynamic shifts and immersive soundscapes, left a powerful, visceral impression on the audience, highlighting the emotional and physical impact of contemporary classical music.