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Yet Another Concert Review
Feb. 25th, 2009 10:08 pmYesterday I went to cellist Rhonda Rider's concert on the Boston Conservatory String Masters Series. It was terrific - Rider is an amazing cellist.
Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D Major, BWV 1028 - J. S. Bach
Bach writes so beautifully for stringed and keyboard instruments. Bach played expertly on cello and piano is a recipe for bliss.
Abu Ghraib - John Harbison
Harbison states in his program notes that this piece for cello and piano is neither a protest nor a moral lesson. Instead it seeks music in a moment when words can fail. I think his comments were very apt. The piece is in two movements. Each movement alternated and then combined disturbing, violent, and dissonant passages with yearningly lyrical material. The result was arresting and challenging while still surprisingly beautiful.
Curve with Plateaux - Jonathan Harvey
I had the pleasure of hearing Rider play this solo cello piece while I was a graduate student at Boston conservatory. I was amazed then amd am still in awe. "Curve with Plateaux" uses the whole range of playable notes on the cello and almost the whole gamut of what the cello can do in terms of playing techniques. Because of the simple and clear structure of the piece, maintains shape and elegance throughout.
Sonata for Cello and Piano in g minor, Op. 117 - Gabriel Faure
This piece was pretty typical turn of the previous century stuff, but lovely and charming. I was particularly enamored of the gorgeous Andante, which had a perfect balance of light and dark.
Different Trains - Steve Reich
This piece for string quartet and pre-recorded performance tape is one of my favorites - I never get tired of hearing it either live or on CD. Live is always such an exciting experience, because in many ways the piece sounds much more raw and experimental. On CD, the blend of live and tape is almost too smooth and seamless. Live, the difference between the instruments and the recording is much more audible, which brings out entirely new and unexpected aspects of the work. This particular performance brought out the way the combination of sustained notes on the strings with the recorded sirens and train whistles could sound like a scream. it gave the middle section quite an emotional punch.
Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D Major, BWV 1028 - J. S. Bach
Bach writes so beautifully for stringed and keyboard instruments. Bach played expertly on cello and piano is a recipe for bliss.
Abu Ghraib - John Harbison
Harbison states in his program notes that this piece for cello and piano is neither a protest nor a moral lesson. Instead it seeks music in a moment when words can fail. I think his comments were very apt. The piece is in two movements. Each movement alternated and then combined disturbing, violent, and dissonant passages with yearningly lyrical material. The result was arresting and challenging while still surprisingly beautiful.
Curve with Plateaux - Jonathan Harvey
I had the pleasure of hearing Rider play this solo cello piece while I was a graduate student at Boston conservatory. I was amazed then amd am still in awe. "Curve with Plateaux" uses the whole range of playable notes on the cello and almost the whole gamut of what the cello can do in terms of playing techniques. Because of the simple and clear structure of the piece, maintains shape and elegance throughout.
Sonata for Cello and Piano in g minor, Op. 117 - Gabriel Faure
This piece was pretty typical turn of the previous century stuff, but lovely and charming. I was particularly enamored of the gorgeous Andante, which had a perfect balance of light and dark.
Different Trains - Steve Reich
This piece for string quartet and pre-recorded performance tape is one of my favorites - I never get tired of hearing it either live or on CD. Live is always such an exciting experience, because in many ways the piece sounds much more raw and experimental. On CD, the blend of live and tape is almost too smooth and seamless. Live, the difference between the instruments and the recording is much more audible, which brings out entirely new and unexpected aspects of the work. This particular performance brought out the way the combination of sustained notes on the strings with the recorded sirens and train whistles could sound like a scream. it gave the middle section quite an emotional punch.
