New York Repertory Orchestra (2/7/15)

Saturday evening’s concert presented music that was mostly unfamiliar to me. I also believe that this is the first NYRO concert I’ve heard that did not involve a soloist. As a result, there were no real balance problems as in the past, mostly due to the highly reverberant acoustics in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 2, for String Orchestra – Henry Cowell (1897–1965)
Jeu de cartes (Game of Cards), Ballet in 3 “Deals”; I. First Deal: Alla breve – Moderato assai – Tranquillo, II. Second Deal: Alla breve – Marcia – Variazioni – Coda – Marcia, III. Third Deal: Alla breve – Valse – Presto – Tempo del principo – Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Symphony No 3 in A minor, Op. 56, “Scottish”; I. Andante con moto – Allegro un poco agitato, II. Vivace non troppo, III. Adagio, IV. Allegro vivacissimo – Allegro maestoso assai –
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)

The Cowell started with open-sounding chords, sort of like Copland, that were calm, rich, and full, with a nice shading of dynamics. At times it was a bit heavy handed though it contained solid string writing. Overall, though it was pleasant enough, it seemed a little too meandering.

Stravinsky’s Jeu began with a stately march that quickly dissolved into fragmentary phrases, and then into a flute solo with orchestral accompaniment. It was definitely playful, with shifting rhythms, but not aggressively so. As to be expected with Stravinsky, there were some lovely orchestral colors. The three movements are played without pause, and even though the program notes laid out clues to listen for—a bold, swaggering motive in march-like rhythms, stated immediately at the outset, mark[ing] the beginning of each of the three “deals”—I didn’t quite experience it that way. My notes for the second deal (I think) include that it also meandered a bit, while exploring some characteristic rhythmic and harmonic affectations. For the third, I merely have that they were rather indistinct sections. Maybe on a second hearing, I’d be able to distinguish the sections a little better.

After intermission, Mendelssohn’s Symphony began with a slightly brooding feel, including a melody for the entire violin section, leading to a fairly full-bodied section that was very melodic and pretty. It was relatively dramatic but without the heavy handedness I experienced in the Cowell earlier. The second movement was lively and lovely—tuneful and very pleasant—Mendelssohn with his brilliant light touch. The third movement was somber to begin with and maintained that quietly somber feeling throughout most of the movement. I sort of let the last movement just wash over me, not taking any notes at all. It was full bodied, with a contrasting quieter section, and then building up to a full and majestic finish. I was familiar with some of the themes, but not overly so.

David Leibowitz, the Music Director/Conductor, kept his charges nicely under control all evening, including being well balanced throughout, as noted earlier. So many of the concerts I attend are smaller ensembles, so it’s nice to hear a full orchestra every once in a while. It’s also nice to hear music that is new to me. There are two more concerts to come in their current season, and I’ll probably try to make both of them.

ConcertMeister