Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony gave the world premiere of Michael Gandolfi's Ascending Light for organ and orchestra in late March. The work was commissioned in memory of long-time BSO organist Berj Zamkochian. It is strange that piece purportedly commemorates the hundredth anniversary of the Armenian genocide, because the first movement was 15 minutes of tutti goose-stepping over a cyclical four-chord progression. It evoked unquestioning obedience more than a sense of loss for the unrealized potential of an obliterated generation. The bombast seemed better suited as a soundtrack to a parade of tanks.
The second movement quieted down and showed more breath and texture. This section would have appeal as a standalone piece. The coda reverted to more cyclical tuttis and marched all the way home. When soloist Olivier Latry finished the final chord in the Thursday performance the root E flat got stuck. The organist gave a shocked look of "I didn't do it" to the conductor, then flipped a few stops and switches to no avail. Latry gave up and joined Nelson on the podium, the stuck pipe continuing to blow for another 30 seconds during the applause until a backstage technician pulled the plug.
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