CityMusic Cleveland: Beethoven/Ligeti/Dvorak

Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3
Ligeti: Concerto Romanesc (Romanian Concerto for Orchestra)
Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 (Jan Vogler, cello)
Ryan McAdams, conductor.
at Fairmout Presbyterian Church, Cleveland Heights

It seems that without fail CityMusic Cleveland's concerts are on days -- even complete weeks -- where by the time I find out about the concert I'm already committed to another obligation. It was looking like this would be another one of those missed concerts until yesterday when my trip to Columbus was postponed, so carpe concert!

CityMusic Cleveland is somewhat unique in that they are a chamber orchestra -- smaller than a symphonic orchestra, with a bit more intimate feeling. Nomadic,  they play each program in several venues throughout Greater Cleveland, with a specific emphasis on neighborhoods may be overlooked by other programs. And the concerts are offered without admission charge (with a free-will offering collection).

The concert opened with Beethoven's Lenore Overture No. 3; as the program note observes, Beethoven only wrote one opera, but he wrote the opera a total of three times with four overtures. This was not the "final" version, cast aside: Listening to the overture it's easy to understand at least some of the reasons why: a great piece of music, it doesn't really create the excitement and anticipation that typifies an overture. Though I'm not familiar with the opera, based on the program note Overture No. 3 also acts as a spoiler, giving away too much of the plot. Musically, the beginning seemed overly dark and dramatic introduction that gave way to a brighter mood. A particular highlight, the two episodes of distant trumpets signaling a rescue were beautifully clear...and distant.

Second on the program, Ligeti's Concert Romanesc was interoduced by Mr. McAdams -- who seemed particularly at ease condicting this orchestra -- with the warning that some of the horn notes may sound a bit sour, but this was intentional and not the result of someone going off their meds. Banned by Soviet censors, some twenty years elapsed since the piece's single rehersal in 1951 and first public performance in 1971. This was my favorite from the program, with a sweet cello sound and a generally meandering and longing tone in the first movmenent, an excited  declaration and commentary in the second movment, before returning to slow and melancholy third movment. But if the Ligeti was my favorite piece, the fourth movement was my favorite movement -- with an interesting earie sound rising from the strings at the beginning of the movmenent, and sounds that were undeniably rooted in folk music.

Finishing the program, Dvorak's Cello Concerto, perhaps the most anticicpiated: Dvorak is one of my favorite composers and the cello is one of my favorite instruments. This is the third time I've heard this piece -- previously with The Clevleand Orchestra and with the CIM Orchestra. Tonight, the opening bars from the CityMusic orchestra once again evoked a feeling of familiarity and relationship to the composer's From the New World, but my inital thought was that the voice of Mr. Vogler's cello solo was a bit odd, but that feeling dimished as the work progressed and the instrument truly began to sing under his bow. The piece as played to night had a general feeling of melancholy and searching for something that was not to be found--though the musical sun made appearances from behind the clouds, and when it did the result was spectacular.

Additional preformances ar St. Colman Church, Cleveland, Thursday; St. Noel Church, Willoughby Hills, Friday; Shrine Church of St. Sanislaus, Cleveland (Slavic Village), Saturday, and St. Mary Church, Elyria, Sunday. (all at 7:30 PM, except Sunday at 2:00 PM)

Lincoln

Gustavo Dudamel: Let The Children Play

"Perhaps it is music that will save the world" -- Pablo Casals

I first heard of El Sistema when I was introduced to City Music Cleveland's mission at a house concert with the Linden Quartet last year... the name resurfaced when I found out that Cleveland Orchestra Violinist and Heights Arts house concert organizer Isabel Trautwein was taking a sabbatical from the orchestra for an El Sistema-related fellowship...

Via the Cleveland Young Arts Professionals Network I learned the documentary "Dudamel: Let The Children Play" would be making a one-night-only appearance at a local movie theater -- and despite still not being fully over my cold I made my way to Severance Town Center (not to be confused with Severance Hall) for tonight's screening.

The event kicked off with an impactful piece from the League of American Orchestras promoting the diversity and impact of the American Orchestra -- including snapshots from orchestras around the country, with a young child leaning over the Box Level railing at Severance Hall making a cameo (I did resist the urge to shout "Oh! That's Severance!")

The actual prelude for the main event was a short piece titled "Crescendo" -- and I would be lying through my teeth if I said that I had any understanding at all of that piece's purpose, other than as a thinly veiled promo for CNN En Espanol.

Thankfully, the main act, Dudamel: Let The Children Play, was far more inspiring. For those who don't know the name, Gustavo Dudamel has been credited with renewed public interest in both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and classical music in general since he took over the post as the former's Music Director -- other than that I didn't know much about Mr. Dudamel. One of the first things we learned tonight is that Mr. Dudamel is a product of El Sistema, starting with a trumpet but short arms leading him to the violin, and many years later to the world stage as perhaps the most respected conductor of this generation.

Disturbingly, at times, Let The Children Play treats Mr. Dudamel as a Deity which was a bit disturbing... but on sum it was an amazingly moving documentary on how El Sistema has grown and impacted the lives of millions of children in dozens of countries since its founding three decades ago.

Perhaps most moving was the fact that across languages, much of the film was subtitled with Spanish being the predominant (but not only) language -- cultures, from Singapore and Scotland to Bolivia and Venezuela -- socioeconomic backgrounds and education -- music transcends to form a common language and inspiration for the children featured: A common thread is that be it Los Angeles or Caracas the children who are members of El Sistema-inspired orchestras profess that they are free-er and more inspired participating in their Orchestra -- and learning the importance of collaboration and teamwork -- than they are in school.

Lincoln

CityMusic Cleveland: September Concerts Preview

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica")
James Gaffigan, conductor.

I had the privilege of being invited to another of CityMusic Cleveland's rehearsals. With a more than a bit of engineer in my blood I love seeing how things are put together--be it a piece of equipment or a building under construction or renovation*. While listening to this afternoon's rehearsal for the upcoming week's worth of concerts it occurred to me that sans a hard hat requirement, this is exactly what the rehearsal process gives the change to glimpse.

I arrived after the rehearsal had begun and settled in to a pew for some lovely music; aside from the casual dress for the first few minutes I was there it would have been largely indistinguishable from a concert. A wonderfully textured concert at that. Mr. Gaffigan was interesting to watch as well: At the beginning of his movements were conservative and restrained matching the music, suddenly exploding outward to match the burst of energy in a beautiful swell of music that not only hit me in the chest in the most pleasant possible way but also reverberated through the pew I occupied.

Likewise fascinating the attention to detail and the collaboration; hearing musicians suggest alternate approaches, trying them; subtle adjustments that could just barely be heard. Playing over the same line until it's just right...well, to borrow from Soundheim's Putting it Together, "You improve and refine/And refine each improvement [...] The art of making art…Is putting it together…Bit by bit, part by part, Fit by fit, start by start"

As glorious as this music sounded in rehearsal, I am doubly disappointed that I will be out of town for all of the scheduled concerts...but I'm glad that I had the chance to hear what I did.

The Free Concerts are...
Tuesday, September 28 at 7:30pm - Cleveland Heights: Fairmount Presbyterian (2757 Fairmount)
Wednesday, September 29 at 8pm - Youngstown: Stambaugh Auditorium (1000 Fifth Ave); reservations required - 330.747.4175
Thursday, September 30 at 7:30pm - Willougby Hills: St. Noel Church (35200 Chardon Road)
Friday, October 1 at 8:00pm - Cleveland: St. Coleman Church (2027 W 65)
Saturday, October 2 at 7:30pm - Slavic Village: Our Lady of Lourdes (E 55 & Broadway)
Sunday, October 3 at 4:00pm - Elyria: St. Mary Church (320 Middle Ave)

Lincoln
*-Playing a role, in the restoration of the Virginia State Capitol--a building where Thomas Jefferson Robert E. Lee and others have made their mark--remains one of the highlights of my professional career.

CityMusic Cleveland: Vajda conducts Sibelius, Mozart, and Beethoven

(You still have four more chances to hear this program, see the end of Monday's post for locations and times)

Sibelius: Rakastava (The Lover), Op. 14
Mozart: Flute Concerto No. 1 in G, K. 313 (Keidi Ruby Kushious, flute)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93
Gregory Vajda, conductor
at Fairmount Presbyterian Church

I would be lying if I didn't admit that I had some skepticism leading into tonight's concert. While I've had slight exposure to CityMusic, through the rehearsal on Monday and the benefit featuring the Linden Quartet a few weeks past, this was the first concert I've attended. My skepticism quickly passed.

I had a violin lesson of my own immediately prior to the concert, so I wound up driving: Before I even parked, I was caught by the sheer number of cars and a vertiable throng of people walking towards the church. Overall I was impressed by the performance's evenness and balance; Mr. Vajda's conducting was transparent and not overly heavy.

I've not had the pleasure of hearing Siebelius prior to this evening, and for a composer who's works tend to be described as 'bleak', 'desolate', and 'cold', I don't think Rastakava could have been any more contrary: The work was quite enjoyable. While not free from darkness, the overall tone of the piece overall the tone was sunny and quite pleasant to listen to, though one must wonder about the solemn and mornful ending: What events transpired leading to "Farewell! Good Evening!"

Mozart isn't one of my favorite composers, nor is the flute one of my favorite instruments, sounding generally rather rough to my ear. While it didn't earn a spot on my favorites list (and I should note the substantial standing ovation) the piece: The piece, did, however move at a tempo that was neither too fast nor too slow and was perfectly pleasant to listen to.

While a core part of the classical cannon, Beethoven has also not historically been one of my favorite composers. CIM's performance earlier this month of his Eroica symphony (No. 3, Op. 55) started to turn the tide, and has eighth symphony tonight became my favorite Beethoven piece. It is that antithesis of 'stuffy Classical' -- light and playful generally fast and occassionally loud it is just fun to listen to. It does not linger in one place for too long but there is a playful interplay among the strings particularly present in the fourth movement where an opening challenge by the violins is echoed back by the violas before launching into the body of the movemenet where this theme repeats frequently.

Well worth taking the time to listen to.

Lincoln

CityMusic Cleveland April Concerts (Preview)

"Art isn’t easy. / Every word, every line, / Every glance, every movement / You improve and refine, / Then refine each improvement. . .

The art of making art / Is putting it together. . ." -- Putting it Together From Steven Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George

Having been involved with the production of a handful of musicals through high school and college, I know the refinement that happens during the rehearsal process. On the other hand, being a relative newcomer to classical music I've often wondered about the process and evolution that comes before the conductor takes the podium and the orchestra takes the stage. (And to a lesser extent the great mystery of if orchestral musicians sound as good in jeans and a T-shirt as they do in concert dress--that answer would be "most certainly")

I had the privilege of attending this evening's rehearsal for the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber orchestra program, see the performance schedule below, and I was quite impressed.

Not only did the rehearsal sound excellent musically, but the collaborative relationship between musicians within each section and the relationship between musicians and conductor -- as passages were worked, reworked, and something that sounded good at first sounded great. As questions were were asked in both directions -- "Do you want us to..?" "Could you try...?" the pieces took shape and were played with a beautiful clarity.

When I first arrived, slightly after the rehearsal had begun, there was only one person listening and it was almost overwhelming as the notes resonated throughout the hall, firmly striking my chest. It truly is a beautiful feeling that accompanied great music.

The concerts are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Based on what I heard this evening it will be a concert well worth attending.

Lincoln

Siebelius: Rakastava, Op. 14
Mozart: Flute Concerto in G
Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
April 14th at 7:30pm - Cleveland Heights: Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard
April 15th at 7:30pm - Willoughby Hills: St. Noel Church, 35200 Chardon Road
April 16th at 7:30pm - Cleveland: Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th Street
April 17th at 8:00pm - Cleveland: St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 10205 Lorain Avenue
April 18th at 2:00pm - Elyria: St. Mart Church, 320 Middle Avenue

Linden String Quartet/CityMusic Cleveland: Champagne & Chamber Music

A benefit concert for the CityMusic Education Program and Youth Orchestra.

Mozart: String Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 428
Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor
Linden String Quartet: Sarah McElravy, Catherine Cosbey, violins; Eric Wong, viola; Felix Umansky, cello.
At the Strauss home, Cleveland Heights.

The challenge with house concerts is you're rarely 100% sure that you're at the right location when you first pull up. In today's case, I circled the block once and on my second go around I saw a string quartet (or what could be best presumed to be a string quartet -- or four people randomly walking around with instrument cases -- crossing the street. Ignoring the obvious joke--"To get to the other side", of course--I parked, and rang the doorbell.

Quickly and warmly welcomed into the Strauss's home, I found myself surrounded by the frenzied activity of last minute preparation in the Kitchen--while my role was limited, consisting of unboxing baking shells, I enjoyed participating.

Today's concert was a benefit for CityMusic Cleveland's Youth Orchestra and eduction programs in Elyria and Cleveland's Slavic Village -- and in hearing Eugenia Strauss, Amitai Vardi, and Rebeccah Schweigert Mayhew speak on the topic, it sounds like a fantastic program and it's clear that the people shepherding music into underprivileged communities are both passionate and enthusiastic about their program.

And for the music of Linden String Quartet: Amazing. A house concert is by its definition an intimate setting, but sitting in the front row, inches from the musicians, of a concert so masterfully played was a fantastically immersive experience: Feeling Mr. Umansky's cello playing come up through my feet while Ms. McElravy and Cosbey's notes danced in my left ear while Mr. Wong's soothed the right. Ms. McElvray provided wonderful context for Mendelssohn piece, which I think was my favorite by a hair, including reading a poem that influenced the work.

There was no doubt that the musicians were enjoying playing as much as the audience was enjoying taking it in, punctuated only with subtle cues amongst themselves maintaining a perfect relationship amongst the parts. To emphasise the intimacy of the performance, Ms. McElvray came within inches of hitting me with her bow while receiving enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of the concert.

As one attendee and I discussed during the ensuing reception: It was like the members of a family: Each with a perfect understanding of each other's role along with their own. Attempting to play the violin myself on a regular basis, I particularly enjoyed and was captivated by Sarah McElravy and Catherine Cosbey's passioned playing and quick finger work.

I would be remiss if I didn't note that upon research I had heard Linden String Quartet perform Beethoven's Quartet in E-minor, Op. 52 No. 2 at CIM's String Quartet Seminar Gala Recital Concert back in December.

CityMusic Cleveland's next free concerts include a performance Wednesday, April 14, 7.30 pm at Fairmount Presbyterian Church--Assuming good weather, anyone interested in attending and up for a 40 minute walk--you're welcome to park at my place and join me on the way.

Lincoln