A Far Cry
A Far Cry is a Boston-based collective of musicians—there is no director, each musician has equal input. That's their story and I'm sticking with it.
The program:
Overture & Chorale (2020) – Andrea Casarrubios (b. 1988)
Say for String Orchestra, arr. Washington (2016) – Shelley Washington (b. 1991)
“La Follia” Variations for String Orchestra (2011) – Francesco Geminiani (1687–1762) / Michi Wiancko (b. 1976)
Metamorphosen (1945) – Richard Strauss (1864–1949)
It's interesting hearing new, or newer, music. Unfortunately, it's not easy knowing when to applaud. More about that later. The Casarrubios was scored for seven strings*. It had a lovely, subdued opening with three cellos, almost bordering on, but not quite getting to, somber. A short piece, it sort of left us in a lurch. [Yes, I led the applause.]
After tuning, we had the sing?/chant?/speak? features of Say for String Orchestra. There was body percussion. There were stomps/claps/singing/chanting/humming as well as actually playing the instruments. [I decided to not lead the applause. It took a little longer to begin.]
After tuning again, the Geminiani/Wiancko, with a larger group, had a fuller sound which I really liked. It was definitely my favorite piece on the first half of the concert. I also liked the shifting dynamics and tempi of the variations. The tapping of instruments (plus a tambourine), while welcome, tended to wear out the welcome.
With twenty-three strings, the Strauss was the closest we got to an orchestra. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The low strings, slightly ominous, turned a little more hopeful. But only a little. I wanted to be more moved by the work than I was. [I led the applause again.]
All in all, an enjoyable evening of music.
*plus chirping birds
ConcertMeister
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