Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra performed in Spaulding Auditorium on a Sunday afternoon, an unusual time for a symphony. This was a big performance, with a completely full stage. The program is incomplete here, as it only lists the student performers, but there were many more uncredited performers.
The first part of the program was a discussion about the symphony by the conductor. He had the group play certain themes and key sections from various movements. He also talked a bit about the hammer, a custom made box that is thumped with a giant mallet. This is the “hammer blows of fate”, and does indeed make a big thump in the performance. This was the part that I had no idea about, so it was interesting to learn how the students researched and prepared the “instrument”. The talk was followed by an intermission, then the performance, but I think we could have skipped the talk, and perhaps had a post-performance discussion.
It is a beautiful symphony, but perhaps a bit overwhelming from the front row where I sat. I did appreciate a close view of the violinists’ score, which I was close enough to follow.