BMOP Concert

[kenjari]

I went to the Boston Modern Orchestra Project season opener last night, along with epilimnion, her guy D., and some of her NEC friends. As usual, it was a very interesting and overall enjoyable concert.

High Bridge, Porttriat of Hart Crane, Prelude for Orchestra - Charles Fussell
This work was nice and had some good brass writing, but it didn't do all that much for me.

Unfinish'd, Sent - Lisa Bielawa
This work for orchestra and solo soprano (Bielawa herself in this performance) got off to a shaky start, but turned out to be one of the best works on the program. The opening was sparse, atonal, and reminiscent of klangfarbenmelodie. The music gradually became fuller and more melodic. At first, I was not at all sure of where the piece was going, but when it got there, it was quite good. The vocal part didn't come in until the second half, and made a big impression when it did, yet without the excessive use of pyrotechnics or huge dramatic gestures.

Nor Spell Nor Charm - Jacob Druckman
I quite enjoyed this piece. It was light without being frivolous, sparkly without being cutesy. Both the material and its scoring did a wonderful job of evoking magic and enchantment.

Roam - Lisa Bielawa.
This work opened with a breathtakingly gorgeous flute duet. The piece as a whole was luch and intense.

Thracian Echoes - Derek Bermel
This work had lots of great stuff in it - haunting melody, dance-like rhythms, etc. Yet I think that some sections went on a little too long, causing the entire piece to drag a bit overall.

Quickening Pulse - Jacob Druckman
This piece was a complete contrast to Druckman's work on the first half of the program. Unfortunately, I didn't really like this one at all. It was loud and lacked rhythmic charm.

Comments

[my-fun-lj.livejournal.com]

I knew Bermel sounded familiar ... he went to Michigan.

You know, I cannot thank you enough for posting these concert reports ... it allows me to see what is being programmed!

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :)