KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

To perform with an orchestra, a soloist must have stage presence, passion and skills. They must be able to handle the pressure, relate to the accompanist and communicate with the audience.  The UMKC 2010 Concerto/Aria Finalist Concert was an unparalleled opportunity to view their most talented young musicians. Brass, winds, strings and voice were well represented as twelve top competitors sought to prove themselves to the judges in fifteen minutes intervals.

The selections were a striking combination of traditional, modern and post classical compositions. In addition to the likely suspects of Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, composers such as Meyerbeer, Sibelius, Poulenc, Carl Nielsen and Carl Maria von Weber were on the program.  Even more obscure composers such as the living Russian woman composer, Alexandra Pakhmutova, and the recently deceased Jan Koetsier made the list. It's exciting to hear virtuosic 20^th century pieces played with such passion.

Each performer was accompanied by an orchestral reduction played by an amazingly talented staff accompanist. When a pianist was competing, the reduction seemed less effective and I had to strive to conceive the accompaniment in symphonic form. Of course, not having the full orchestra present made hearing the winners something to anticipate eagerly.

It was a pleasure to hear instruments not often headlining with orchestras these days. Peter Pirotte performed the Concerto for Trumpet (1955) by Pakhmutova, and Kirsten Gates performed the Concertino for Horn, Op. 74 by Koetsier. 

Bass soloist Aaron Sorenson performed Das Thal and Der Einsame by Richard Strauss with refreshing security in his lower register. He has a robust bass that can switch into a sensitive mode with ease.

As with any intense contest, memories lapsed and fingers fluttered but the performances were generally very solid.

Judges Stanislav Ioudenitch (piano) from Park University, Ivalah Allen (voice) from Washburn University and Bruce Sorrell, conductor of the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, chose the four standout soloists listed below to perform with the UMKC Orchestra on February 26.

Mezzo Soprano Suzanne Hendrix, a DMA candidate, sang the aria Ah, mon fils, soit beni! from Le prophete by Meyerbeer with controlled anguish in her vast and lustrous voice.

The "wunderkind" freshman violinist Sarah Holmes (who should be playing a Stradivarius) passionately related the Sibelius Concerto for Violin in D Minor as if she were pouring out her heart.

Piano duo Jiyun Chung and Chris Parker thrilled with their snippet of the highly entertaining Concerto for Two Pianos in D Minor by Poulenc. It sounded great with just two pianos. I can't wait to hear the piece with full orchestra.

DMA candidate clarinetist Gabrielle Baffoni tackled the insanely difficult Konzert for Klarinet, Op. 57 by Carl Nielsen with a smart, German expressionist sensibility.

Audiences should remember to catch this free performance next year and make sure they secure tickets to hear these fresh performers on February 26 at 7:30 pm at White Recital Hall. UMKC is preparing well the future stars of the world stage.

For more information call 816-235-6222 or online at www.umkc.edu/cto

By Megan Browne Helm

Classical, Vocal and Theatre Contributor

Megan Browne Helm grew up singing, dancing and acting.  Inspired by Emma Kirkby as a high school student in St. Louis she went on to study voice and sing with the Collegium Musicum at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio where she also had a radio show of contemporary classical music on WOBC.  At the University of Kansas she had the pleasure of working with former Kings’ Singer, Simon Carrington in his Collegium Musicum and Oread consort. Years later, she was a choral fellow at the Yale School of Music’s  Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.  She is currently singing with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus under the direction of Charles Bruffy. 

 As a freelance music and culture writer her work can be found on KCMetropolis.org, presentmagazine.com, the Lawrence Journal World, Shawnee Magazine, Leawood Lifestyle Magazine and KC Parent.  She was one of 26 journalists in the country chosen as a NEA Institute Fellow for Classical Music and Opera at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. 

Her current interest is how classical music remains relevant through active collaborations with artists in different fields, including science.  She also sees a connection between classical music, travel and food as a way to engage all of the senses in a 360 degree cultural experience.  She blogs at raworganum.wordpress.com.

More Featured Articles