Naumburg Orchestral Concerts (7/11/23)

A Far Cry 

Opening Fanfare: eGALitarian Brass, World Premiere (2023) – Anthony Davis
Un día Bom (2021) III. Arum dem Fayer, arr. Alex Fortes (2023) – Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)
Banner (2014) – Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)
The Glittering World (2023) – Juantio Becenti (b. 1983)
String Quartet no.12, Op.96, “American” (1893) – Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), arr. by Sarah Darling (2017)

Fun fact. If a Fish Kept His Mouth Shut, He Wouldn’t Get Caught! is the subtitle of the opening fanfare.

A Far Cry is a Boston-based chamber orchestra.

The fanfare was for a brass quintet – eGALitarian Brass, all female players, trumpet, French horn and three (3!) trombones. It was modern jazz and quite enjoyable. As usual for this season, it was a world premiere celebrating the centenary of the Naumburg bandshell.

The next three pieces were all by American composers. The Golijov had a folk-song feel, based on Jewish themes. It was calm and comforting, then picked up in tempo, feeling like a brief dance before returning to the opening, both in style and musical phrases.

With slightly smaller forces, the Montgomery (second time I’ve heard one of her works in this season’s Naumburg concerts) was a paraphrase of the Francis Scott Key Banner, but sort of deconstructed, then snippets of other countries’ anthems (per remarks from the stage) that were mostly lost on me. It seemed to meander a bit, without really capturing my attention too well before moving quickly back to the Star-Spangled Banner, possibly to reel us back in.

The Becenti had a bright and brisk opening, then low strings introduced a second section that was slightly sedate, then switching to something a little more energetic and more interesting—then went into full meandering mode. The piece was interesting but not compelling.

I love the Dvořák; it’s very familiar to me, and one of my favorites. The first movement was brisk but a little subdued, tuneful, sweeping and lovely. Not surprisingly, this entire piece is much more structured (in terms of linked phrases and sections) than the three works that preceded it. The second movement was calmer, yet still tuneful, easily listenable, and ending with a very nice solo cello line. The third was bright and jolly, though with a touch of solemnity and density. It ended with a feathery quietude. The fourth was rollicking, with an underlying perpetual motion feel. While including a brief legato interlude or two, the effervescence could not be quashed. A great way to end a fun outdoor concert. Weather permitting, I’ll be going back on July 25th.

 ConcertMeister