Save-the-Dates

Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra

Firecracker Review by Nathalie Plotkin

The second concert of the 20th season of Ensemble Monterey brings back memories of its early days when each concert offered works which were rarely performed because of the particular and often unique demands they made on the performers. The eclectic works on the program named Firecracker called for an unusual assortment of virtuoso musicians who, in the course of the evening, rose to the challenges of a unique compositions which were hardly run of the mill and offered a tangy assortment of musical flavors.

Opening with Mozart's delightful “Kegelstatt Trio” K.498 for Clarinet, Viola and Piano”, clarinetist Jeff Gallagher, violist Susan Brown and pianist Ruth Winter gave a mellow, smooth and graceful reading of the seldom offered work. This is an unusual instrumental combination and its songful melodies were very well brought out.

As a fun contrast,“Firecracker", an Oboe Concerto by the contemporary composer Michael Daugherty, brought out the virtuoso abilities of soloist Peter Lemberg. Lemberg was assisted by an ensemble consisting of flutist Lars Johannesson, bass clarinetist Jeff Gallagher, violinist Susan Brown, cellist Judy Roberts, pianist Ruth Winter and percussionist Laura McShane. This bright entertaining, technically demanding music had unexpected, fascinating sounds and rhythms which were brightly brought forth and expertly expounded by all the participants.

Hindemith’s "Kleine Kammermusik” op. 24, no. 2, employed an oboe, a flute and a clarinet and added Scott Hartman, horn and Jane Orzel, bassoon. Forming a skilled and polished wind quintet, these players also maintained an exemplory ensemble as they expressed the varying moods of its four movements. Mainly the music is playful and they brought it out with smiling results and fine execution.

An unusual and very tongue-in-cheek composition for flute and french horn, Jan Bach's "Four 2-Bit Contraptions" presented an amusing set of trifling tidbits which the composer had fun naming "Second Lieutenant", "Calliope", "Gramophone" and "Pinwheel". Flutist Lars Johannesson and horn player Scott Hartman were witty purveyors of these miniatures.

As a most unusual conclusion to this innovatively conceived program, all eight musicians used their voices rather than their fingers on their instruments, to vocally deliver Ernest Toch’s “Geographical Fugue”. Their timing was precise, their rhythm was solid and their pronunciation of the names of the places on a world map (Trinidad was a particularly effective first theme) in strict fugal four part counterpoint was hilarious. It was an absolute triumph and the audience applause was loud and long.

Prepare to celebrate 20 years of innovation!

October 29 and 30, 2011
~ Music to be Scared By a Halloween Concert to Remember

February 11 and 12, 2012
~ The Art of the Dance, with the Monterey Dance Collective

March 31 and April 1, 2012
~ Not Again! It’s April Fools!!

May 5 and 6, 2012
~ Bach, the Saint Mathew Passion