QC Symphony

Last Saturday evening, October 3, Nancy and I attended the first concert of the season of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The program consisted of two pieces; Mozart's Symphony 41 in C major, the "Jupiter" and Mahler's Symphony No 1 in D major, "Titan."

The music director, Mark Russell Smith pointed out in his brief remarks that there are significant contrasts between the two works. This was Mozart's last symphony and Mahler's first. The Mozart is played by a fairly small ensemble while the orchestra for the Mahler is indeed large. Mozart is classical while Mahler is modern.

While the Mahler was dazzling and wonderful, my mind has dwelt on the fourth movement of the Mozart Symphony 41. The program notes point out that there are five themes woven together in this movement. I think my parents owned an LP with this movement included as part of a collection. I found listening a wonderful privilege, to hear the piece played by live musicians in my presence, like visiting a city one has seen in films all one's life. And while the piece is complex it all fits. It is a vision of balance, harmony and aptness, deftly fitted together.

I was reminded of the theologian Karl Barth's admiration for Mozart. Barth speaks of Mozart’s utter uniqueness: “In the case of Mozart, we must certainly assume that the dear Lord had a special, direct contact with him." And Mozart's music “evidently comes from on high” (These quotations are from a little book written by Barth in 1956.)

I found the Mozart reassuring.

Here is an article about Barth on Mozart at www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1382