As arms swing, thoughts run

On conducting Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, OP. 43 in Camp Concert Hall: “This particular scene, at the end, there is a huge movement which communicates human hope,” said Alexander Kordzaia, artistic director of the UR Symphony Orchestra. “Everything’s going to be OK. Just have this hope. If humanity doesn’t have hope, then there is nothing left to do. When brass players play those chords, it just takes over you. Nobody can sit in the audience and not feel the energy. The conductor tries to communicate to the musicians this energy. It’s like one player. Seventy-five people play like one, and this energy goes straight to the audience.”