Orchestra of St. Luke’s (7/30/19)

Tito Muñoz, Conductor

Prince of Clouds (2012) – Jesse Mills and Krista Bannion, violins –
Anna Clyne (1980–)
Songs (1930s and ’40s) – Jasmine Muhammad, soprano – Florence Price (1887–1953)
Adagio for Strings (1936) – Samuel Barber (1910–1981)
Appalachian Spring (1933–34) – Aaron Copland (1900–1990)

The first piece was strings only, with two violin soloists. It started with the soloists, with music that was atonal but gentle and not particularly harsh. When the other strings joined in, it was rapid and louder, though there were balancing legato sections. The piece held my interest well enough though it didn’t really wow me. At one point the string players used extreme pizzicato that resulted in a ‘thwack’ sound. I have no idea what that might look like in the score.

The three Price songs were titled (I think—they weren’t listed in the program) Hold Fast to Dreams, Sympathy, and My Soul Is Anchored to the Lord. The first was in a through-composed art song style and was enjoyable. The second was traditionally classical, with a straightforward setting of the text. There were contrasting verses that then ended with a return to the original setting. The third, a spiritual, had strong Latin-style rhythms. Throughout, Ms. Muhammad sang with very clear diction and a strong sense of style for all three songs.

The Barber (a middle movement of one of his string quartets) is a piece that you most likely know. Do a quick online search and you’ll know exactly what I mean. It was lush but in a simple way. I think that’s all that needs to be said.

Copland’s Appalachian Spring did not start out as Appalachian Spring. When first composed, it was simply called Ballet for Martha. Here, flute, clarinet, bassoon, and piano were added to the strings. With its almost mystical opening, it then morphed into a more energetic section, followed by a mix of boisterous and lyrical, and then, of course, Simple Gifts put in a guest appearance, as it does in so many of Copland’s pieces (’Tis the gift to be simple / ’Tis the gift to be free / ’Tis the gift to come down / Where you ought be). But the words were not in the ballet score, just inside my head.

As one more in the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts series, this was another winner. World-class orchestras in NYC for free. I’m one lucky ’Meister.

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