Sequenza21/The Contemporary Classical Music Weekly

Penn Sounds: 3 Premieres from Orchestra 2001

Richard Wernick's Sextet for String Quartet, Double Bass and Piano (2003) had its Philadelphia premiere on this program, and primarily features the double bass opening with a motif at the high end of its register. Single notes are echoed in piano or one of the strings, but there is little cohesion until the strings come in together, and then it is only brief. The middle section scherzo "inebriated" is a raucous tutti with percussive piano and the "afterthought" ending is brief and spare.

Whirl's End (2005) by Melinda Wagner is purely abstract, scored for strings, harp, strummed piano and percussion. Its mournful iciness is warmed by frequent harp glissades, bur high slides in winds and strings keep the temperature cool.

Poulenc's Le bal masque songs performed by baritone Randall Scarlata present a view of music considered outrageous for its own 1932 time, that comes across as melodic and humorously scored now, and provides a congruent accompaniment for Max Jacob's nonsensical texts.

Mourning Sea, for Oboe solo and ensemble (2005) by Adam Wernick features the Philadelphia Orchestra's Richard Woodhams on oboe. The composer explained that the piece is not a concerto, but an essay exploring moods and possibilities of the oboe. Wernick has done many compositions for theater, and the opening thunder roll of timpani sets a dramatic tension, followed by brief cello and bass clarinet motifs. The oboe's solo lien is indeed mournful, and exotic, with phrases separated by the recurring drum rolls. As the oboe lien expands, more of the ensemble is involved with plucked harp and piano for textures and ground, and the melody becomes more lyrical, with string accompaniment and echoing, particularly in cello. A pizzicato section picks up the pace, develops the theme in the ensemble, and allows the oboe greater latitude in a dialogue with different voices.

After an extensive solo, the oboe leaves the hall while the ensemble plays a shimmering ground with bass clarinet and bassoon commentary, and the oboe concludes its solo from the wings.

The ensemble was conducted by Orchestra 2001 artistic director James Freeman in this season finale program.

Orchestra 2001
Three Premieres
Trinity Center
Philadelphia, PA
April 3, 2005
(Reposted from Penn Sounds 4-8-05.)

posted by Deborah Kravetz 4/11/2005