CLEVELAND, Ohio – Even more glorious than the Cleveland Orchestra’s long-awaited homecoming Thursday was the message proclaimed by the program.
The music wasn’t especially celebratory, but together, the three works presented to the first live, indoor audience in 19 months at the newly renamed Severance Music Center attested to a revitalized, refocused, and still highly dedicated ensemble.
“New Beginnings,” the night’s theme, certainly fit the circumstances, and loosely held the evening together, but more powerful were the clear commitments to American music, core repertoire, and deeper explorations of familiar territory. If this is the post-pandemic Cleveland Orchestra, our musical future is bright.
Meanwhile, of course, the pandemic rages. All in attendance Thursday displayed proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test, and all but a few on stage wore masks throughout the evening. Social distancing happened almost automatically; the 2,000-seat house was about half full.
The evening also went down in history as one of Joela Jones’s last appearances as member of the Cleveland Orchestra. In a touching ceremony, the longtime principal keyboardist received the orchestra’s Distinguished Service Award. She plans to retire after the program repeats Sunday.
Jones had her hands full Thursday, and not only with the award. Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 saw Jones and her colleagues hard at work delivering music director Franz Welser-Most a vivid, thrilling performance.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guest cello soloist Alisa Weilerstein performs with the Cleveland Orchestra at Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was orchestra’s first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests take selfies as arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020. These guests removed their masks for the photos before putting them back on.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Cleveland Orchestra CEO André Gremillet and conductor Franz Welser-Möst, talk about opening night before the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests watch as Cleveland Orchestra CEO André Gremillet and conductor Franz Welser-Möst, talk about opening night before the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests take selfies as arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020. These guests removed their masks for the photos before putting them back on.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests arrive at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Cleveland Orchestra CEO André Gremillet welcomes the audience back before the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Centeron Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Centeron Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Guests enjoy the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021 for the first public performance by the orchestra at Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Möst, performed in front of a live audience in the Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Thursday, October 14, 2021. This was their first public live performance for an audience in Severance Music Center since being shut down due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
Welser-Most adopted far-flung tempos, unfurling spacious, searingly effective slow movements and pushing Allegros to their exciting limits. Woodwind, brass, and percussion players turned in smart, tangy solos, and even at their most vigorous, the strings sounded luminous and elegant.
All the while, thematic connections emerged in bold outline and the ensemble proved as graceful and agile as a large body can be. This was some of the core repertoire for which the Cleveland Orchestra is renowned, and the reputation remained deserved.
Enthusiasm for the program opener was harder to muster. A few moments of radiance and some colorful character passages aside, the chief attraction of an opaque performance of Strauss’s “Macbeth,” the composer’s first tone poem, was its very presence. Thursday marked the work’s Cleveland premiere.
No such struggle getting behind “A New Day,” a new concerto for cello by Joan Tower, commissioned in part by the Cleveland Orchestra. Not only did the 25-minute work, a grand love note to the composer’s husband, suit the occasion well. It also heralded more American music on the calendar and afforded cellist Alisa Weilerstein a vehicle equal to her talents.
Conceptually, the four-part work appears reflective, with scenes labeled “Daybreak,” “Working Out,” “Mostly Alone,” and “Into the Night.” In reality, the score is a whirlwind of virtuoso gestures, a perpetual-motion display of the most gripping sort.
Weilerstein kept her listeners on tenterhooks, braced for the next bout loosely symbolizing marital tension or the next soaring glissando installing a sense of calm, yearning, or loneliness. Life and love are precious, Tower through Weilerstein seemed to be saying, in terms urgent and dramatic. Take nothing, least of all music, for granted.
REVIEW
Cleveland Orchestra
What: Franz Welser-Most conducts Tower, Strauss, and Prokofiev.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.
Where: Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.
Tickets: $21-$151. Visit clevelandorchestra.com.
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