Michigan State University College of Music presents Michigan State University Wind Symphony in Review

Michigan State University College of Music presents Michigan State University Wind Symphony in Review

Michigan State University Wind Symphony
Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor; Lindsay Kesselman, soprano
Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall; New York, NY
February 22, 2014

 

In a performance billed as “commemorating the 10th anniversary of the premiere performance of John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3, Circus Maximus,” the Michigan State University Wind Symphony concluded their five-city tour at Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. In addition to Circus Maximus, another Corligiano work, Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan, and Traveler by David Maslanka were on the program. The combination of one of my favorite wind ensemble composers (Maslanka) with one of my favorite composers period (Corigliano) held the promise of being a very enjoyable concert.

This listener is a great fan of the wind ensemble, having cut his musical teeth, so to speak, playing some of the works of the great composers of “band” music (e.g. Clifton Williams, W. Francis McBeth). With this experience also come some very strong opinions and high expectations. What actually transpired far and away exceeded my original hopes.

Opening the concert was Traveler (2003) by Michigan State University alum David Maslanka (b. 1943). Written in honor of the retirement of Mr. Maslanka’s friend and colleague, Ray C. Lichtenwalter, Traveler is a musical rendering of a life journey. The energetic first section, as the composer states, is  “depicting an engaged life in full stride.” The second and final section becomes quiet and meditative as the soul’s final preparation for the end of one journey and the beginning of the next. Mr. Maslanka has frequently alluded to his great admiration for J.S. Bach, so it is not altogether surprising that a Bach chorale, Nicht so traurig, nicht so sehr (Not so sad, not so much), BWV 384, is quoted in the opening of Traveler. The end of the journey need not be considered sad. Quoting Mr. Maslanka, “[In] our hearts, our minds, our souls- We travel from life to life to life- In time and eternity.”

Conductor Kevin L. Sedatole strode onto the stage and within seconds unleashed the dynamo that is his ensemble, setting the standard for the entire concert. Intonation was precise, and the playing was crisp and clearly articulated in the opening section’s rapid passages, which I have heard less skilled ensembles muddy up into an amorphous musical blob. The energetic percussionists dashed about as several players took on multiple roles. The final section was rendered with an otherworldly serenity that was simply breathtaking. As the music slowly faded away, disappearing into silence, the audience was spellbound.

Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan (2000/2009) by John Corigliano (b.1938) followed. Scored for soprano soloist, and (in this arrangement) wind ensemble, the seven songs are Mr. Tambourine Man, Clothes Line, Blowin’ in the Wind, Masters of War, All Along the Watchtower, Chimes of Freedom, and Forever Young. The concept of taking lyrics of Bob Dylan’s songs and recasting them without any reference to the original musical material is a bold undertaking, even for a composer of the skill of Mr. Corigliano. The question of whether or not this “works” has a highly subjective answer. I would speculate that listeners who are very familiar with the original songs by Bob Dylan and the “hard-core” Dylan fans might experience more difficulties in “letting go”. To this listener, the settings were effective in the sense of capturing the power of the lyrics as if they had never had music associated with them. Soprano soloist Lindsay Kesselman made these songs her own in a performance filled with passion. Her diction was excellent and the colors of her voice really brought out the meanings of Dylan’s lyrics. There were countless moments of excellence, but I will mention just one that caught me off guard. The last line of Masters of War (‘Til I’m sure you’re dead) was delivered with a bone-chilling, angry hiss that I was not expecting from such a radiant voice! She was a joy to watch and hear, and when she finished Forever Young, the audience gave her a richly deserved and prolonged ovation. Mr. Corigliano came to the stage and shared his enthusiasm for the superlative performance the amazing Ms. Kesselman gave of his work.

After the intermission, it was time for the showstopper: Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3, Circus Maximus (2004). Scored for wind ensemble on-stage, off-stage players throughout the hall (in this case in each tier of the auditorium), including a small marching band, it is an approximately thirty-five minute work in eight sections that are played without pause. Those eight sections are entitled Introitus, Screen/Siren, Channel Surfing, Night Music I, Night Music II, Circus Maximus, Prayer, and Coda-Veritas. As Mr. Corigliano writes, “The parallels between the high decadence of Rome and our present time are obvious. Entertainment dominates our reality, and ever-more-extreme ‘reality shows’ dominate our entertainment.” Circus Maximus is a musical depiction of this decadence, and a shockingly effective one at that. It is at turns brash, monstrous and grotesque, ear-splittingly loud, but also filled with humor and moments of poignancy. It grabs the listener by the throat and holds him there for the entirety of the work.

I am quite familiar with this work, but this is the first time I have seen it staged live. The word staged is not a mistake, as this massive work is not something one just hears, but experiences in every sense of the word. Although there is an excellent recording of this work on the Naxos label conducted by Jerry Junkin (the commissioner and dedicatee of Circus Maximus) and the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, it simply cannot compare to a live performance. The infrequency of performances of this incredible work is regrettable, but understandable, given the ferocious difficulty of the music and the complexity of managing all the aleatoric elements with widespread forces.  I must express my admiration for the work of conductor Kevin Sedatole, who was the ultimate ringmaster for this circus! (There is an excellent 2010 performance lead by Maestro Sedatole on video that one can view by clicking here.)

The playing of the Michigan State University Wind Symphony was outstanding from the opening calls of the Introitus to the last notes of the Coda. This was playing of a level that I would rate as being in the top five of all wind ensembles I have heard or played in (and there have been some heavy hitters on the list). I was transfixed in a way I can’t recall experiencing, and while the brilliance of the work was a factor, it is the players that make it all happen. It’s self-evident – it doesn’t matter how good the work is if the players are not good.

Highlights abound and I could go on and on, but I will limit myself to a few things I found to be particularly striking.  Channel Surfing, with the constant stops, starts, and interruptions from all locations around the hall was really as if someone with a remote control were pushing buttons every few seconds in a sonic depiction of Attention Deficit Disorder. The use of soft mallets on the interior of the piano on the low A string in a continuous tremolo during Night Music I gave this section an eerie atmospheric aspect that was mesmerizing. The marching band wending its way down the aisles, onto the stage, past the conductor, and back up the aisles in the Circus Maximus section delighted all. I especially enjoyed the spectacle of this merry band passing directly by my seat. The Prayer section was hauntingly serene after the preceding chaos.

At the end of the Coda, a gunshot (yes, a gunshot!) ends the work. After the report of the gun, the stage went instantly to black, which was an inspired touch. The lights slowly came on to find Maestro Sedatole with his baton still suspended in midair as if he were frozen in time. The audience did not wish to wait for the customary lowering of the baton before exploding into an immediate standing ovation. One did not need to be a music reviewer to know they had just experienced something awe-inspiring. After a ten-minute standing ovation (in which Mr. Corigliano was called back to the stage multiple times), Maestro Sedatole led the ensemble in a rousing MSU Fight Song, to the delight of the many Michigan State University students, parents, and alumni in attendance.

There are concerts that one enjoys, but those memories often fade as time passes. There are others one remembers for negative reasons. The instances of concerts that years later still fill my memory with wonder are rare indeed. This is a concert that will remain as one of the highlights of my concert-going experiences. Congratulations to Maestro Sedatole and the superb Michigan State University Wind Symphony.

 

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
International Performing Artists presents Xiayin Wang, Piano in Review

International Performing Artists presents Xiayin Wang, Piano in Review

International Performing Artists presents Xiayin Wang, Piano
Escher Quartet: Adam Barnett-Hart and Aaron Boyd, violin; Pierre Lapointe, viola; Dane Johansen, cello
Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center; New York, NY
January 27, 2014

 

In a concert presented by International Performing Artists, pianist Xiayin Wang joined with the Escher Quartet in works by Fauré, Piazzolla, and Schumann. Both Ms. Wang and the Escher Quartet are much in-demand performers who have appeared in venues around the world and enjoy countless accolades. This pairing of highly accomplished artists had the promise of being an evening filled with masterful music making.

The Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 by Gabriel Fauré (a last minute change from the scheduled Piano Quartet No.2 in G minor, Op. 45 by the same composer) opened the program. There were intonation issues at the beginning of the Allegro molto moderato that got things off to a problematic start, especially in contrast to the pristine piano work. Eventually, this all came under control.  The excellent solos from the string players were highlights of the opening movement.  The Scherzo sparkled, and the sorrowful Adagio was beautifully played. It is said this movement was influenced by Fauré’s heartache about his broken engagement to Marieanne Viardot, and one can feel it.  The ending impression was mixed – the notes were there, and the playing (other than the intonation issues) was polished, but the feeling of a true ensemble was not altogether present. It did seem like a case of three plus one, instead of a true quartet. Ms. Wang is a fine pianist, and her playing in this demanding work was truly exceptional, but her laser-like focus on the virtuosic aspects of her part gave the impression of a mini-concerto performance as opposed to chamber music.  One can speculate why this was – perhaps the last minute change of program? In any case, it was a solid, if less than completely satisfying, performance.

Three works from Astor Piazzolla, Otono Porteño, Oblivion, and Libertango, in arrangements by the composer-pianist Clint Edwards, followed the Fauré.  Mr. Edwards captured the essence of these pieces in his effective arrangements.  From the pizzicato opening of Otono Porteño, through the poignant laments of Oblivion, and finally the tease of a lugubrious opening of the Libertango that finally burst into the saucy tango style that Piazzolla was so famous for, it was played with a perfect mix of spice and substance. It was an enjoyable end to the first half that showed both Ms. Wang and the Escher to great advantage.

After intermission, the Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 from Robert Schumann was the only work on the second half. Written for and dedicated to Schumann’s wife, Clara, during a period when the composer had finally won his battle to marry his beloved, this work is the product of a musician at the height of his powers and with seemingly limitless creative energy. The history of this 1842 work is highly interesting in many ways. The idea of combining a piano part with a standard string quartet had never be done prior to this work; the excellent program notes state that this was the first piano quintet written, but that is technically not entirely accurate, because other composers, notably Schubert in the Trout Quintet, wrote for quintet using the double bass in place of the second violin. In any case, one must credit Schumann with the invention of a new form of chamber music. Incidentally, during a private performance prior to the public premiere, Clara was too ill to play, so Felix Mendelssohn stepped in and sight-read the piano part! Mendelssohn also suggested an addition of a second trio in the scherzo, which Schumann added.

Whatever reservations I had about the interaction of Ms. Wang with the Escher were not an issue during the Schumann.  Ms. Wang was fully engaged with her partners at all times in a performance that was worthy of this great composition. Ms. Wang made short work of the difficult piano part with ease, as one would expect from a player of her caliber, but with the added dimension of a true collaborator instead of soloist in an ad hoc role. This was the synthesis of dynamic forces that I had been hoping for earlier. It was “all-for-one, and one-for-all” playing that I would normally associate with players who have an extensive history together.  The end result was a performance that was well conceived in its bold, joyful, and optimistic outlook. I am still basking in its afterglow.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: The Music of Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday Celebration

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: The Music of Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday Celebration

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: The Music of Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday Celebration
Distinguished Concerts Orchestra, Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Jonathan Griffith, conductor; Rhys Meirion, tenor; Darik Knutsen, baritone; Charlotte Daw Paulsen mezzo-soprano; Samuel Smith, bass-baritone; Belinda Sykes, ethnic vocals and mey; Karl Jenkins, composer-in-residence/conductor
Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
January 20, 2014

In what has become a tradition on the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presented a concert featuring the music of Karl Jenkins. This year’s event had the added dimension of being a 70th birthday celebration for the Welsh composer. Arguably one of the most popular living composers and indisputably one of the most frequently performed, Karl Jenkins and DCINY have a special relationship. DCINY has given countless premieres of his newest compositions and continues to give top-notch performances of his works to enormous public response.  As one watched the singers fill the back of the stage, overflowing onto the right wing, one could not help sharing in the eager anticipation. The program included The Bards of Wales (United States Premiere), the Benedictus from The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, and the Stabat Mater. With performers from California, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Argentina, Canada, France, Hungary, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and “individuals from around the globe” (the program listing 579 singers!), the stage was set for what was to be a spectacular evening.

The concert opened with the cantata, The Bards of Wales. What could be more natural for a Welsh composer than to use as a text than a poem entitled “The Bards of Wales”? Interestingly enough, this poem was not written by a Welshman, but by the Hungarian poet Janós Arany (1817-1882). Asked to write a poem of praise for the occasion of a visit to Budapest by Emperor Franz Joseph (only eight years after the Hapsburg empire crushed Hungary’s War of Independence), Arany chose to compose a ballad based on the ancient Welsh legend of how King Edward I of England had 500 Welsh bards executed for failing to sing his praises at a banquet in 1277. The message was unmistakable: the truth must be told, at whatever sacrifice.  The Bards of Wales is a nine-movement work scored for orchestra, chorus, and tenor, baritone, bass-baritone, and mezzo-soprano soloists that can be sung in Hungarian, Welsh, or English. On this occasion, the English version, as translated by Peter Zollman (1931-2013), was used. Tenor Rhys Meirion was cast as King Edward I. Baritone Darik Knutsen had a double role as a minstrel and bard, while bass-baritone Samuel Smith and mezzo-soprano Charlotte Daw Paulsen also took roles as bards.

 

What strikes the experienced Jenkins listener as singular about The Bards of Wales is the complete absence of any of the multi-ethnic influences that Karl Jenkins is so well known for using in his works (answering any naysayers who carp about so-called multicultural “gimmicks” for effect).  The sound is uniquely his own, and I would easily know this is a Jenkins work without being told. That is not to say that there is anything formulaic in it, as only fragments resembled earlier compositions (the movement “His Men went forth” resembling a hybrid of material from L’homme Armé or Charge! movements of The Armed Man).

Rhys Meirion sang and acted his role with gusto in a performance that bespoke the haughty arrogance of Edward, his vanity, cruelty, and in the end, his torment. He definitely has charisma in spades! Not to be overlooked, Darik Knutsen, Samuel Smith, and Charlotte Daw Paulsen projected the brave stand of the bards with great skill, the defiant tone coming to the fore with strength and dignity. Conductor Jonathan Griffith led the huge forces with his customary skill.  The Bards of Wales is filled with dramatic effect, from the cannon shots of the first movement to the martyrdom of the fallen bards in the last. This is a work I very much wish to hear again, and I am hoping it will be recorded (in English, that is  – there is already a recording in Hungarian on CMI Records). Are you listening, Deutsche Grammophon? I will be the first to buy it!

After the last notes were sounded, the audience leapt to their feet in appreciation. Mr. Jenkins came to the front of the stage to accept the standing ovation. After the applause died away, he took to the podium to conduct the Benedictus from his work The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. The seven-and-a-half minute twelfth movement of The Armed Man, the Benedictus is often played as a stand-alone piece and has been arranged for numerous combinations of instruments (notably a version with the brilliant euphonium player David Childs). Here it was given in its original form with orchestra and chorus.  The Benedictus is a beatific work, extremely moving in its simplicity. One holds one’s breath as an ethereal cello solo floats over hushed orchestral accompaniment before the chorus seamlessly enters, leading to an ecstatic explosion of percussion to the words Hosanna in excelsis – a supremely moving inspiration. I wish I knew the name of the solo cellist; her playing was quite beautiful and she deserves mention. Mr. Jenkins is an able conductor and his understated approach was perfect. It was a magical end to the first half.

After intermission, Mr. Jenkins was brought to the stage before the performance of the Stabat Mater. A letter of congratulations and birthday greetings from New York City mayor Bill de Blasio was read. Jonathan Griffith led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” (for the purists, Jenkins’ actual birthday is February 17). A jumbo-sized card that was signed by hundreds of people was presented to Mr. Jenkins. A bashful-looking Jenkins nodded his thanks to all before leaving the stage.

Maestro Griffith then took to the podium to conduct the Stabat Mater. I have something of a special relationship with this work. I was in attendance when DCINY gave the US Premiere on January 19, 2009 at Avery Fisher Hall. I confess that I was initially reluctant to attend, as my impression of Karl Jenkins and his music was based solely on a DeBeers diamond advertising campaign that I absolutely despised! After hearing the Stabat Mater, I realized how shortsighted and wrong that preconception was. I was moved in a way that I have rarely experienced on the first hearing of a musical work. I went from skeptic to believer in the space of the twelve movements of this piece and rushed out the next day to purchase the recording. My musical life was changed, as I became a great admirer of Karl Jenkins and his works.  It has been a mounting source of irritation to me that snobbish musical circles often look askance at a composer because he is “popular” and his work is “tonal”. It is not a zero-sum proposition: one can love the music of Karl Jenkins and still love the most ultra-modern works without having to apologize for either.

Now, back to the Stabat Mater.  This twelve-movement work uses the text of the 13th century poem Stabat Mater Dolorosa for six of the movements. The other movements uses material from the Epic of Gilgamesh, lines from the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, and original materials in a variety of languages, including  English, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and of course Latin. Scored for orchestra, including Middle Eastern percussion, chorus, mezzo-soprano and “ethnic vocals” soloists, this hour-long work is a powerful and profound piece that still continues to move me, even after countless hearings.

Mezzo-soprano Charlotte Daw Paulsen was radiant in the achingly beautiful Lament and the despairing Are you lost out in darkness?  Special mention must be made of the incredible Belinda Sykes. Her playing of the double-reed mey and her amazing passion-filled vocals floored me in 2009 (especially in the Incantations and Are you lost out in darkness? movements), and they did so again in 2014. I simply cannot imagine any other performer in her role in this work! Highlights are too numerous to list individually, but I will mention the Cantus lacrimosus, Sancta Mater, and And the Mother did weep as personal favorites for the night.

 

The final movement, the Paradisi Gloria, starts as a smoldering flame that bursts into a full-blown inferno, bringing this work to a close. I was slightly disappointed that there were no chorus members in the balcony as there were in 2009, but nonetheless it was a powerful conclusion to a first-rate performance. Maestro Griffith is simply masterful at how he handles such gargantuan forces with such apparent ease. The Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and the Distinguished Concerts Singers International must be congratulated for their excellent work as well. The thunderous ovation was every bit deserved.

Pen-blwydd Hapus, Karl Jenkins!  May your next seventy years be filled with good health so you can continue to write more wonderful music for the world to enjoy!

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: Of Life and Liberty in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: Of Life and Liberty in Review

Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents: Of Life and Liberty
Distinguished Concerts Orchestra, Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Matt Oltman, conductor; James M. Meaders, conductor; Viola Dacus, mezzo-soprano
Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
January 19, 2014

A Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) concert is always a memorable experience. As I ran the gauntlet of massed chorus members from Mississippi assembled in the back area as I went to pick up my tickets, I was reminded of what the DCINY experience is all about. The excitement and nervousness of men and women of all ages in what was likely the thrill of a lifetime filled that very cramped space in such a way as to overwhelm me with a similar feeling. Any irritation I might have felt at that moment washed away when a smiling chorus member offered to sing the program if I were unable to retrieve my tickets! At last, the way was cleared, and I wished them all the best of luck.

The World Premiere of The Gettysburg Address in a new arrangement for men’s voices from Mark Hayes (b. 1953) opened the concert.  In my review in this journal from May 27, 2013 (“Requiems for the Brave”), when this work was performed in its original version for mixed voices and orchestra, I wrote the following:

“About The Gettysburg Address [the music], Mr. Hayes in his program notes writes, ‘…the challenge of creating something musically profound was overwhelming.’ These ten sentences [the address itself] are filled with sadness, hope, challenge, and triumph in what is probably the most famous speech in American History. Mr. Hayes’ conception captures all of these elements, from the bold opening, played with a brash exuberance, to the somber colors of the sorrows of war, to the final build-up in a martial style culminating with repeated declarations of “for the people” from the chorus.  It is a powerful work that does justice to Lincoln’s immortal words.”

In this revised version I find my initial thoughts to be unchanged. If anything, the effect is deepened by the use of men’s voices alone.  The Testament of Freedom, from underappreciated composer Randall Thompson (1899-1984), followed. Commissioned in 1943 to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Thomas Jefferson, this work has become a favorite for men’s choruses. When one hears the work, it is easy to see why this is the case: hymn-like melodies, stirring text, and expert vocal writing.  Thompson used the writings of Jefferson for the text of the four movements, with a strong focus on Jefferson’s unwavering belief in the unalienable rights of man. The chorus, consisting of members from Minnesota, Illinois, Idaho, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, and Alberta, Canada sang with strength, clear diction, and fine balance throughout. The third movement, “We fight not for glory,” was the highlight to this listener, but the whole performance was excellent. The animated Matt Oltman was a dynamic conductor who coaxed every last ounce of dramatic energy from both the chorus and the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra in both works.

The second half consisted of the New York premiere of Requiem for the Living from composer Dan Forrest (b. 1978). About the title Mr. Forrest writes, “the five movements form a narrative just as much for the living, and their own struggle with pain and sorrow, as for the dead.” Mr. Forrest freely used the standard mass as a model, with the substitution of a movement he entitled Vanitas Vanitatum (quoting from the Book of Job and Ecclesiastes) in place of the Dies Irae. This work is by no means complex in the vocal writing or the harmonic language, but the net effect is one of great import. Requiem for the Living is one of the most moving works I have heard in a very long while. It is truly a case of the maximum effect from the minimum of means, the mark of a highly skilled composer. It was a performance to remember, from the quiet opening of the Introit and Kyrie, the driving energy of the sinister Vanitas Vanitatum, and the serene Agnus Dei, to the celestial influenced magic of the Sanctus and hauntingly beautiful Lux Aeterna, which slowly faded away to nothing. In the Agnus Dei and Lux Aeterna, Mezzo-soprano soloist Viola Dacus sang with a pure, radiant voice that captured the essence of child-like innocence. Conductor James M. Meaders led the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and the chorus with meticulous restraint and close attention to detail. When he lowered his baton after the sound died away, the audience erupted into a prolonged ovation. Congratulations, my new friends from Mississippi, you were all stars today.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
Opus Two Presents the Music of George Gershwin in Review

Opus Two Presents the Music of George Gershwin in Review

Opus Two Presents the Music of George Gershwin
Opus Two: William Terwilliger, violin; Andrew Cooperstock, piano
Bruno Walter Auditorium, New York, NY
December 28, 2013

On an unusually warm December day, I made my way to the Bruno Walter Auditorium to hear a performance of the music of George Gershwin by the duo Opus Two. I was expecting a smaller crowd because of the holiday weekend and the early afternoon starting time. Imagine my surprise, upon arriving, at the sight of a long line of about seventy people all hoping to get in, even though the hall was already filled! Luckily, my place was reserved.  A few other lucky people in this line gained entry and were treated to what was part concert, part lecture, and part sentimental retrospective.

Opus Two boasts the combined talents of William Terwilliger, violin, and Andrew Cooperstock, piano. This well-travelled duo with performances around the globe is especially renowned for championing American music and composers. What could be more American than the works of George Gershwin? Opening with Jascha Heifetz’s arrangement of “Summertime”, from Gershwin’s masterpiece Porgy and Bess, the duo gave the audience a taste of what was to follow. The performers then introduced themselves and alternated turns at the podium as they spoke of Gershwin. They included a few well-known anecdotes, including the oft-quoted one from Maurice Ravel (when Gershwin sought composition lessons from the French genius): “Why do you want to be a second-rate Ravel when you are already a first-rate Gershwin?”  It was time for the concert proper to commence.

First up came Selections from Porgy and Bess as arranged by Jascha Heifetz. The renowned Heifetz had been quick to recognize the appeal of Gershwin’s music and was savvy enough to capitalize on that demand by making arrangements that highlighted his own virtuosic talents. Porgy and Bess is the best known of these arrangements and continues to delight listeners to this day. The playing from Opus Two was assured, from the restless “Summertime” (yes, again), to the laments of “My Man’s Gone Now”, to the joyous “Bess, You is My Woman Now’, to the biting irony of “It Ain’t Necessarily So”. Images by African-American period photographer, Richard Samuel Roberts, were projected on a large screen behind the performers and were a perfect visual accompaniment to the music.  It reminded me of the style of Ken Burns in his various documentaries and was an inspired touch. This was the sort of imaginative conception that one hopes for, even expects, when two exceptional musicians who really are of the same mind and spirit join together.  Opus Two fulfilled this expectation throughout the concert.

Short Story, for Violin and Piano, was the only work originally written for this combination by Gershwin himself. The violinist Samuel Dushkin, a friend of Gershwin and a renowned performer in his own right (Stravinsky wrote his Violin Concerto for Dushkin in 1931), offered technical advice on the violin part.  Gershwin and Dushkin premiered this three-minute work, which has all the hallmarks of Gershwin’s style- rhythmic vitality and catchy tunes (in this case laced with the blues and ragtime).  But, for whatever reason, it never caught on with other performers and disappeared in oblivion. While admittedly not up to the standards of his later mature works, it is still worthy of attention, and the fine performance from the duo made that point clear. Kudos to Opus Two, for both their sophisticated reading and for sharing this little-known gem, which should gladden the heart of any Gershwin fan.

The Three Preludes for Piano, also arranged for violin and piano by Heifetz, followed and were played with stylish assurance. While I prefer the original, this arrangement was highly effective.

Excerpts from An American in Paris, which were partially arranged by Heifetz and later expanded by Ayke Agus in 2005, were introduced by a short talk and video selection from the movie featuring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dancing a pas de deux (as choreographed by Kelly) to set the mood. The players’ casual commentary included the remark, “They don’t make them like that anymore!” No, they sure don’t!   Violinist William Terwilliger joked about how he would be simulating the sounds of car horns with his violin. This work shows the ever-maturing Gershwin’s progress from song plugger to “serious” composer, with French influences (Debussy and Ravel), yet in his own highly characteristic voice.  Opus Two played with appropriate elegance and wit in yet another winning performance.

Composer Eric Stern continued the Heifetz tradition with his own arrangement of Selections from Girl Crazy, written especially for Opus Two.  Another video, this time Judy Garland singing “Bidin’ My Time” from the movie version of Girl Crazy, was played and brought smiles to all as a reminder of a golden age.  Returning to their performance, Opus Two presented Stern’s arrangement with panache.  Including the unforgettable classics, “Embraceable You” and “I Got Rhythm”, this transcription was destined to be a crowd pleaser. The same energy and commitment with which the duo started the concert were still very much in effect, in even more refined playing. The lazy drawl of “Bidin’ My Time”, the enchanting “Embraceable You”, and an electric “I Got Rhythm” ended the piece and the concert in triumph. The audience demanded more, so for an encore, Opus Two offered a favorite from another one of America’s most loved composers, Aaron Copland, “Hoedown” from Rodeo.  Played with brio, it was a fitting close to a most enjoyable concert.

 

 

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
USA-Japan Goodwill Mission Concert in Review

USA-Japan Goodwill Mission Concert in Review

USA-Japan Goodwill Mission Concert
New York Festival Orchestra, Beethoven Memorial Chorus
Hideaki Hirai, Music Director and Conductor; Hideyuki Tsuji, Choral Conductor
Naomi Satake, soprano; Francesca Lunghi, alto; Paul Williamson, tenor; Katsuji Miura, bass-baritone
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
December 26, 2013

In order to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, a benefit concert entitled “USA-Japan Goodwill Mission Concert” was held at Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall on the evening of December 26, 2013. Raising money for a good cause is always a welcome activity, and I commend the organizers for this. It is thus with reluctance that I take issue with the chosen program. It seemed that there were two concerts slapped together to be one, without any thought as to the appropriateness of having Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, the Choral, paired with a motley assortment of popular songs.

I am not a music snob. I love the popular music of the 1980s and can probably identify within a few seconds any song from that era that received airplay. I love music of all genres and eras.  I also love the 9th Symphony of Beethoven. As one who does, I find the idea of “Meet the Flintstones“ on the same program as the Beethoven to be bizarre in the extreme. The clashing of Schiller’s “Götterfunken!” with Hanna-Barbera’s “Wilmaaaaaa!” is still filling my ears with horror, as the ghost of Kafka smiles with a knowing nod. “O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!” To have any work follow this monument of the Western music canon shows a lack of respect to the sheer magnitude of this masterpiece, but to follow it with show tunes, popular music performed in a style strongly akin to a Glee episode, and Barbershop with slapstick, was the musical equivalent of Marcel Duchamp’s treatment of La Gioconda in his L.H.O.O.Q.  I would have been perfectly content with either half standing alone, but NEVER paired together.

My programming objection in no way is meant to disparage the performers in the second half, as they were all very entertaining and gave energetic, crowd-pleasing and wholly committed performances. The No Borders Youth Chorus, an all-male a cappella chorus with young men from the United States, Canada, and China, led by Joe Cerutti, was delightful, and the barbershop quartet, Lunch Break, was hilarious in their set. It was just a shame that the net effect of each mismatched half was to nullify the value of the other through the pairing.

The program did not list the movements of the Beethoven, nor include the text of the Ode to Joy. If there was an assumption of familiarity as a reason for the omission, it proved to be completely unfounded.  Applause between the movements and ear-shattering yelling from the audience from the start of the Alla Marcia section in the finale (for a good ten seconds), were proof enough of not only a lack of familiarity with the work, but a lack of familiarity with how to behave at a classical concert. Enthusiasm is good, but yelling loudly is never appropriate. To his credit, conductor Hideaki Hirai endured these interruptions with grace and did not allow them to distract him or the orchestra.

The New York Festival Orchestra, consisting of players from throughout the United States, was specially formed for this concert. Usually one expects some roughness from groups of this nature, and while there were a few instances of this, the playing overall was polished and the ensemble remarkably unified, as if they had been together for a long period of time. From the tremolos that open the work, to the timpani bursts in the Scherzo, the sublime Adagio in the third movement, to the Prestissimo of the final bars of the epic last movement, it was a highly satisfying performance.

The Beethoven Memorial Chorus was made up of singers from Japan and the United States, all with extensive experience performing the 9th Symphony. This experience showed in their rock-solid performance. Bass-Baritone soloist Katsuji Miura projected with a powerful voice that easily filled the hall with its bold resonance. Soprano Naomi Satake’s voice soared with passion, while Tenor Paul Williamson and Alto Francesca Lunghi enriched the textures with their considerable talents.

Maestro Hirai was especially impressive. Conducting from memory, he demonstrated his deep knowledge of the score with unflagging energy and intense concentration. He was dynamic, confident, and completely engaged for the entire 75 minutes.  It was especially interesting to me that he “sang” along with the chorus with evident joy on his face.  It was among the best of the live performances I have heard of this work and justly deserving of the standing ovation it was accorded. Bravo to all!

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
Gil Sullivan, Pianist in Review

Gil Sullivan, Pianist in Review

Gil Sullivan, Piano
MidAmerica Productions Presents: Gil Sullivan, piano
Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
December 16, 2013
 
 
Gil Sullivan and Julian Cochran

Gil Sullivan and Julian Cochran

 
 

In a program presented by MidAmerica productions, Australian pianist Gil Sullivan offered a program of Mozart, Brahms, and works by his compatriot, Julian Cochran. The globetrotting Mr. Sullivan sports an impressive resume, with appearances in many of the world’s most renowned halls.

Opening with Mozart’s Sonata in F major, K. 533/494, the double Köchel number referring to the Rondo finale being composed well before the first two movements, Mr. Sullivan gave ample proof that his sterling reputation as a interpreter of Mozart is well deserved.  He offered a performance that explored the depths of one of Mozart’s most profound piano works with restrained, careful rendering and especial attention to matters of tone and phrasing. After the Mozart, Mr. Sullivan played four works (with a break for intermission after the first two) by fellow Australian Julian Cochran.

Julian Cochran (b. 1974) was born in Cambridge, England, but immigrated to Australia in 1978. Mr. Cochran is a mathematician specializing in Pure Mathematics, but has dedicated his talents more fully now towards music, as both a pianist and a composer.  When one hears mathematician and composer in the same sentence, it is not at all unreasonable to think of names like Babbitt and Xenakis, and to expect a similarity of style with a mathematical base. Such was not the case. The multi-talented Mr. Cochran is a throwback to the Romantic and Impressionistic traditions of the piano, using the musical language of Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, and Ravel, amongst others, in a highly individualistic, non-derivative manner.  On the program were two Preludes and two Mazurkas from his pen.

 Prelude No.7 (2010) is a work that has a theme that with a distinctly Romanian-inspired folk feeling. Variations on this theme are done in a similar folk style, building to a powerful climax with bell-like sounds that slowly fade into silence.  In his notes about Prelude No. 8 (2010), the composer makes reference to the nature of the ocean and the swirling opening subject.  I was reminded of Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit, but with the additional twists hearkening back to motifs of Liszt, Debussy, and even Rachmaninoff. It is a work that is alternately serene and unsettled, glistening and turbulent. It builds to a brilliant climax, and then recedes into a quiet ending.  Much like Ondine, this work requires a formidable technique, which Mr. Sullivan possesses. It was an outstanding performance of a striking work and a fine ending to the first half.

 After intermission, next up were Mazurkas Nos.4 and 5. Mazurka No. 4 (2009) is a work that could be called Chopin’s Nightmare.  It has the qualities of an unsettled dream with the harmonic language almost mockingly omitting the fifth tone of the minor scale at all turns, while augmenting the fourth and diminishing the sixth. This Mazurka becomes a wild, dervish-like dance bordering on the grotesque before returning to the original theme.  About Mazurka No. 5 (2009, revised 2010), the composer writes that this work “may remind us of Ravel”. Indeed, one can detect hints of Ravel’s La Valse in this work. The writing is highly virtuosic, and in the hands of Mr. Sullivan it was given a masterful performance that accentuated its brilliance. Mr. Cochran was in attendance and joined Mr. Sullivan for bows on stage.  This is a composer who has learned his lessons well from the old masters while leaving his own distinctive mark. I would like to hear more from Mr. Cochran in the future.

 Ending the program with Brahms’s Sonata No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op.2, Mr. Sullivan showed himself to be as comfortable in this massive structure as he was in the sparseness of the Mozart.   This work of a young Brahms is packed with bold ideas, virtuosic demands, and symphonic qualities that owe much to Robert Schumann’s influence. It is brash and designed to impress, and in this respect Mr. Sullivan delivered a power-packed performance. It was an exciting close to the concert by a pianist possessed of intelligence and technical prowess in equal measure.

As an encore, Mr. Sullivan offered the A-flat Polonaise, Op. 53 of Chopin, the Heroic, which he played in an exciting and highly individualistic manner (with liberties and additions to the score). The full-house audience loved it and roared their collective approval in a raucous ovation.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
The Second Coming in Review

The Second Coming in Review

The Second Coming
Ensemble du Monde, Marlon Daniel, Music Director and Conductor
Gwendolyn Howard, violin
Special guest: Hampson Sisler, composer
Society for Ethical Culture, New York, NY
December 14, 2013
 
World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler

World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler

 

In a concert to celebrate the release of the CD recording of The Second Coming by Hampson Sisler (b. 1932) on the MSR Classics label (MSR 1489: www.msrcd.com), Ensemble du Monde, with forces fifty strong under the direction of Marlon Daniel, gave a promotional performance of this new work. Those hearty souls who braved a snowstorm to get to the Ethical Culture concert hall were rewarded with not only the concert, but a reception afterwards to meet the performers.

Gwendolyn Howard, violin and Ensemble du Monde

Gwendolyn Howard, violin and Ensemble du Monde

 

Also on the program was Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, featuring fifteen-year-old violin soloist Gwendolyn Howard, First Prize winner of the Ensemble du Monde Young Artists Concerto Competition. The modest and self-effacing Ms. Howard shyly took to the stage, giving no hint to the miraculous transformation that was about to take place. Once the music began, Ms. Howard reflected the assurance of the professional that she is. She plays with a beautiful tone and pairs that with the technique to toss off virtuosic passages with the greatest of ease. Make no mistake: this young lady is a force to be reckoned with! It was winning from start to finish.

Gwendolyn Howard, violin, Marlond Daniel, conductor and Ensemble du Monde

Gwendolyn Howard, violin, Marlond Daniel, conductor and Ensemble du Monde

 

Clocking in at nearly one hour, the three-part oratorio The Second Coming is a music depiction of both the foreshadowing of Judgment Day (freely quoting the New International Version Bible: Matthew 24: 1-51), and the Apocalypse, as written in the Book of Revelation (freely quoting the NIV Bible: Revelation 6:1-17, 7: 6-13, and 16: 2-21). The three parts are entitled Prologue, The Seven Seals, and Bowls of Wrath. The composer was inspired by a conversation with Marlon Daniel about what was expected by some to be the Second Coming on October 20, 2012, along with Mayan prophecy’s End of Days, December 21,2012. *Spoiler alert*- Both dates were wrong.

World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler (the composer is congratulating the conductor)

World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler (the composer is congratulating the conductor)

 

All joking aside, the subject matter is powerful and worthy of musical depiction. Mr. Sisler originally composed an orchestral work based on The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. He took further inspiration from the subject matter and not only expanded the original work to include all seven seals, but also added the Prologue and Bowls of Wrath, both which include chorus, to form the complete oratorio. Mr. Sisler, having conceived the work in a modular fashion, has made it possible for the work to be performed in a number of different ways. The program notes make reference to five possibilities, increasing performance opportunities depending on the available forces. The modular aspect of the work, on the other hand, has the net effect of leaving uneven quality between the sections. It is natural to expect some of that in a work of this magnitude, but I did feel that the sections added later were more compelling and stronger in their conception than the earlier part. The addition of the chorus was partly responsible.

 

Hampson Sisler and the conductor Maron Daniel after the performance

Hampson Sisler and the conductor Maron Daniel after the performance

In terms of style, one would expect a work using such terrifying imagery to be full of fire and brimstone – the Verdi Requiem comes to mind as an example. Even the artwork on the CD cover, with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the opening of the Heavens, suggests terror. Mr. Sisler has a different interpretation, that while he incorporates moments of strife, his rendering is largely a philosophical examination of the causes and effects of events rather than a dramatic rendering of the events themselves. While I did not find this approach to be immediately compelling, it was nonetheless an interesting conception that did give one pause to reflect.

World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler (The Cake for the party!)

World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming by H. Sisler (The Cake for the party!)

 

The writing is highly chromatic, and while there are moments of stridency and dissonance, it is always tonally accessible. The choral writing is simple in form, with large amounts of recitativo throughout. The first section, Prologue, has stylistic similarities to Copland (especially Lincoln Portrait) and in my opinion is the strongest section of the work.  My objections are strictly on stylistic preference; Mr. Sisler is a composer of skill and craftsmanship, whose music appeals to a wide audience.

Hampson Sisler is signing CDs after the World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming .

Hampson Sisler is signing CDs after the World Premiere of the Oratorio The Second Coming .

 

Conductor Marlon Daniel was an attentive and steady guiding force. The Ensemble du Monde, with the exception of a few mishaps, most notably some cracked notes in the brass, gave The Second Coming an excellent performance. The composer joined the performers at the end for well-deserved congratulations.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY

Aleyson Scopel, Pianist in Review

Aleyson Scopel, Pianist in Review
MidAmerica Productions Presents: Aleyson Scopel, piano
Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
November 23, 2013

MidAmerica Productions has a long history of presenting talented artists in venues around the globe. The honor of the 1200th concert worldwide was given to the Brazilian pianist Aleyson Scopel in a program featuring Mozart, Schubert, and his countryman, Almeida Prado. Mr. Scopel dedicated his performance “To Alys Terrien-Queen, the first to believe in me.”  Terrien-Queen may have been the first believer, but after this performance, he added countless others, including this listener, as those “in the know.”

Opening with Mozart’s Rondo in A minor, K. 511, Mr. Scopel demonstrated his mature understanding of this highly introspective and melancholy work.  He played with refinement and sensitivity, but without superficiality or glibness that lesser players sometimes display in Mozart.  His control was excellent, the voicing clear, and contrasts rendered decisively. His was the playing of an artist, pure and simple.

The world premiere of Cartes Celestes XV (Celestial Charts XV) by Almeida Prado followed the Mozart. José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado (1943-2010) composed eighteen sets of pieces he called Cartes Celestes , works depicting the sky and universe, using a harmonic language the composer called “transtonality.”  Cartes Celestes XV was finished in 2009 and dedicated to Aleyson Scopel.   Subtitled “The Expanding Universe”, it is divided into six movements. The opening GRB090423, a musical depiction of a supernova 13 billion light years from the earth, was played by Mr. Scopel with harrowing effect, from the rumbling of the unstable stars to the brilliant explosion of light. The other movements (Eskimo Nebula, Pictor Constellation and Extrasolar Planet, The Bird of Paradise Constellation, Planetary Nebula NCG 3195, and Solar Wind) were further examples of the genius of this composer and his visionary conceptions.  Almeida Prado pays tribute to his teacher Messiaen in Bird of Paradise. One can also detect some intergalactic Debussy (imagine La cathédrale engloutie in outer space!). The use of tonality without a tonal center, which the composer called his “pilgrim harmony”, was highly effective. Mr. Scopel took the listener on a tour of the stars in a spellbinding performance full of power, passion, and lyricism. After he had finished, Mr Scopel pointed to the sky in tribute to the composer. It was a touching gesture, and I am confident that Almeida Prado was listening with joy from somewhere in the vast universe he loved so much. Given that Mr. Scopel has recorded other of the Cartas Celestes, it is a reasonable hope that he will, at the very least, add this set to the mix, but I would very much like to see him record all eighteen Cartas Celestes. It would do honor to both Mr. Scopel and Almeida Prado.

After intermission, Mr. Scopel offered Schubert’s Sonata in A major, D. 959. This Sonata, completed only months before Schubert’s death, is a monumental work that is majestic, pathos filled, and nostalgic (especially in the finale’s look back to a theme from his Sonata in A minor, D. 537). Mr. Scopel continued to share his artistry with a well-considered and executed performance of this massive work.  His playing was crisp and accurate. The contrasting moods were dynamically realized, the laments were moving in their simplicity, and the finale had unflagging energy. One must also contend with the virtuosic elements throughout, and Mr. Scopel was more than capable of dealing with those as well, which he did in an unpretentious and understated way.  This was fine Schubert playing, and would have served as an excellent example to students on what constitutes a reference performance.

Aleyson Scopel is a first-rate pianist. Anyone who values substance over style should make it a point to hear him in performance.  I look forward to hearing him again.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY

The Music of Dinos Constantinides in Review

The Music of Dinos Constantinides in Review
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents Distinguished Concerts Artists Series: The Music of Dinos Constantinides
Louisiana State University soloists: Michael Gurt, piano, Griffin Campbell, saxophone, Brett Dietz, percussion, Penelope Shumate, soprano, Johanna Cox, oboe, Lenora Cox Leggatt, violin
Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
November 24. 2013

Greek-born Dinos Constantinides is the head of Composition and Music Director of the Louisiana State University. He is presently Boyd Professor, the highest academic rank at LSU.   Mr. Constantinides has composed over 250 works, including six symphonies, two operas, and music for a wide variety of instruments and voices. His writing style is all-encompassing, from the simplest of forms to the ultra-complex, and from the strictly tonal to the acerbically atonal and serial. He is especially adept in his use of Greek influences, such as Greek poetry from both ancient and modern sources, and Greek modal harmony. With the help of six exceptionally talented colleagues from Louisiana State University, his audience was privy to a broad survey of his varied style, including two world premieres, in ten works.

Pianist Michael Gurt led off the evening with the Sonata for Piano, LRC 49, a work that could be described as a journey through a post-apocalyptic world. It is not for the faint of heart, and Mr. Gurt was heroic as he wended his way through the nightmares and the desolation in a riveting performance.  Mr. Gurt was stalwart all evening in his work with colleagues, demonstrating fine and attentive playing as a collaborator.

The lyric playing of saxophonist Griffin Campbell, especially in the Four Songs of Epirus, LRC 264 (World Premiere), was also outstanding.   Oboist Johanna Cox handled all technical obstacles with apparent ease, and when her sister, violinist Lenora Cox Leggatt, a formidable talent in her own right, joined her with Mr. Gurt in Reflections V for Violin, Oboe, and Piano, LR 108, the effect was magical. It was the highlight of the evening to this listener. Brett Dietz displayed his amazing dexterity with his stick technique in the Moto Perpetuo for Marimba Alone, LRC 263 (another World Premiere) – it was a performance worthy of Paganini!  Finally, soprano Penelope Shumate closed each half with performances filled with passion, charm, and coquettishness.

There is something apt in the saying about having too much of a good thing, and I am of the opinion that it would have been judicious to have shortened the program.  Mr. Constantinides is at his best in his Greek-influenced works, and a program devoted to those works would have been most effective.

At the end, Mr. Constantinides joined his colleagues on the stage to offer them his congratulations, shaking hands with each performer. All joined together for a final bow to the appreciative audience.

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by Jeffrey Williams  for New York Concert Review; New York, NY