Click pics to enlarge.
Big comes at a cost, in this case literally, as I had to pay for my NYPO ticket, whereas the other were free concerts given during the holiday season. In this case, it is definitely not "you gets what you pays for".
Jan 10, 2020
New York Philharmonic - Paul Lewis - Daniel Harding
Grieg - Strauss
I am familiar with both artists' work on record. In the case of Daniel Harding, I heard him last in Strauss almost a year ago in a magnificent Ein Heldenleben with the Concertgebouw (here), so I was really looking forward to the even bigger Alpine Symphony. The stage was jam packed, and I was expectant. Alas, the woodwinds played tentatively, and the big Sunrise was just brute and piecing in sound. After that, the orchestra was not very cohesive nor alluring during the ascent. Things started to get much better around and after the Summit, which was powerful. The descent led to some foreboding, a fierce storm and then a calmer summing up. I managed to enjoy the second half of the piece, but the orchestral sound and acoustics of the Geffen Hall were not a patch on the Concertgebouw in Carnegie Hall, so perhaps it was not Harding's fault. Maybe a 2:00 pm concert is too early for the NYPO players to wake up!
Paul Lewis played distinctively in Grieg's Piano Concerto, and the orchestral contribution was very good. To me, the pianist's refinement and rhythmic emphasis sounded somewhat idiosyncratic, but not uncomfortably so. The performance was definitely not in the romantic tradition, but was dramatic. From my third tier seat I found the piano sound to be bass shy, and although I found it enjoyable I cannot be as ecstatic as another review (here).
Jan 6, 2020Advent Lutheran Church
Parker Quartet and Anthony McGill
Salonen - Shostakovich - Mozart
I was very happy when I found out the Parker Quartet was giving a free concert! I heard them in 2011 (here) in another free concert in Flushing and was mightily impressed (it shocks me that it was almost a decade ago, as it just seemed like yesterday, sigh, how time flies!).
The Advent Lutheran is a nice church, but not very big. However, it has a substantial music program, Music Mondays, which I didn't know about until I read about the event in the NYT. On this occasion, due to the publicity (and perhaps the star attraction of the guest soloist), people had to be turned away in order not to violate the fire code. I was lucky I got there a little early.
As is usual with the Parker, there is a substantial piece of new music, Salonen's Homunculus (the word means little man, for what that is worth). It was well crafted and well played, but not quite as challenging as some of his larger works, like the violin concerto (I heard the DG version, played by Leila Josefowicz). It sounded really nice in the church though, and happily there was no undue reverberation.
Shostakovich's Quartet No. 9 is a masterpiece and part of the trilogy that is No. 7-9. This is much less played than No. 8 and undeservedly so. The Parker was thoroughly idiomatic and probing, equally captivating in quieter passages and the motoric finale.
After the intermission came Mozart's Clarinet Quintet with New York Philharmonic's Principal Andrew McGill, who played very beautifully. He was ably supported by the Parker, but overall the rendition did not quite have the "time stood still" feeling that the best performances can imbue in us. Nonetheless, the concert was admirable, and the reception afterwards, where we enjoyed a glass of red wine, certainly was a plus! I shall be attending more events!
December 18, 2019Angel Orensanz Foundation
New York Baroque Inc.
All Bach
NYC is amazing! I have never heard of the venue nor the Band, but learnt of the free event from the NYT. I was very happy to get to hear Bach orchestral works in a church!
The Angel Orensanz Foundation is an Arts Organization that rents out its space, a former Synagogue, for events. The New York Baroque, Inc apparently is an established period-instrument band.
On this occasion, the conductor was the estimable Richard Edgarr, director of the Academy of Ancient Music. Before each piece, he gave a little speech which invariably illuminated the piece. More musicians should do this.
Orchestral Suites 1 and 3, and Brandenburg Concertos 6 and 5 were played. The orchestra was certainly not perfect, but the spirited playing and earthy sonorities of the period instruments were absolutely delightful. Highlights included the mesmerizing interplay by the 2 violas in the Concerto No. 6, and of course, the racuous Gigue of the Suite No. 3 (not to mention the heavenly Air)!
Great concerts in unusual spaces!
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