RSS 2.0 FeedMarch 23, 2011, Classical
20th-century works prove familiar and intriguing
In an equally familiar and thrilling performance, the Kansas City Symphony with guest violist Roberto Díaz filled the Lyric Theatre this past Friday night with mysterious and compelling twentieth-century works by Osvaldo Golijov, Krzysztof Penderecki, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Alberto Ginastera.
After a lengthy but informative introduction by conductor Michael Stern, the orchestra began the music with the Kansas City premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s new work Sidereus. While the programmatic work was somewhat unadventurous and tonal, it included some intriguing textures of traded lines within the strings creating an echo effect, consistent falling sixteenth notes passed through the ensemble beneath a schmaltzy legato theme, and a deep, dark brass section supporting it all. The work was pleasant enough, if a bit repetitive and energetically lacking.
Guest viola soloist Roberto Díaz performed Krzysztof Penderecki’s challenging Concerto for Viola and Orchestra with intense energy and focus. Díaz’s tone remained rich and warm on the more shadowy, expressive phrases, and the fast, technical passages were clear and impressive. The orchestra seemed to struggle early on, with spotty intonation, rhythms, and string shifting. They did an excellent job with dynamics and mood though, and really allowed Díaz to shine through the ensemble. The moment of awakening came at the tutti recapitulation of the main theme, when the orchestra’s energy suddenly snapped to attention and they were simply captivating as a whole.
The second half of the program found the Symphony more in their comfort zone, but certainly not lazy. The energy uncovered during the Penderecki Concerto never ceased for the rest of the night and was exciting to experience. Where the strings were the stars of the first half, the woodwinds took the spotlight in the second. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Wasps suite opened with lively, “waspy” buzzing and the composer’s signature folksy character. The contrasting moods between and within movements were performed well, however the inside movements were perhaps more subdued than necessary.
Each woodwind soloist on The Wasps and the final piece, Alberto Ginastera’s Four Dances from Estancia, were delicate, expressive, dramatic, and blended well. Estancia was easily the crowd favorite. Its charging pulse, syncopated rhythms, and majestic harmonies were delightful. The percussion section drove the relentless final movement to its bombastic conclusion and had the audience on their feet.
REVIEW:
Kansas City Symphony
Four Dances from Estancia with Roberto Díaz, viola
Friday, March 18, 2011 (Reviewed)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Lyric Theatre
11th and Central Streets, Kansas City, MO
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Yardley Hall
12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS
For tickets call 816-471-0400 or visit www.kcsymphony.org
Editorial Assignments Executive Editor; Traditional and New Classical Contributor
Kristin Shafel Omiccioli, a native of Madison, WI, holds composition degrees (M.M., B.M.) from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Kristin's compositions have been performed at national and regional new music festivals and conferences throughout the United States. During her time at UMKC, Kristin also focused on double bass performance and arts administration. She was a student leader and performer in many of the Conservatory's student organizations and ensembles, including Musica Nova, Composers' Guild, the Conservatory Student Association, the orchestras, and Wind Symphony. Her composition instructors were James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Zhou Long, and Chen Yi, and her bass instructor was Sue Stubbs. Formerly a guitarist, Kristin performed with big bands and her own jazz combo in Madison, WI, having studied jazz guitar and theory with Roger Brotherhood in Madison and jazz voice and theory with Hal Melia in Kansas City at UMKC.
Kristin enjoys being active in the performing arts community. She has volunteered with the Chamber Music Society of Kansas City and Charlotte Street Foundation, and has played in the bass section of the Northland Symphony Orchestra, among other bass gigs around the metro. Kristin currently serves as principal bass for the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and Heritage Philharmonic, and is a section bassist for Kinnor Philharmonic. She joined the writing staff of KCMetropolis.org in February 2010 and has been KCM’s executive editor since July 2011. Read her blog at mylittleheartmelodies.com.
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