A Little Afternoon Music

Yesterday, I had the delightful experience of attending an afternoon concert by the Boston Symphony Chamber Players (BSCP) at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. The program included the Bartók quintet for piano, two violins, viola, and cello; Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles for wind quintet; and Brahms Hungarian Dances I - IV arranged for wind quintet and string quintet by Martin Amlin.

The members of the BSOP are Malcolm Lowe, violin; Haldan Martinson, violin; Steven Ansell, viola; Jules Eskin, cello; Edwin Barker, double bass; Elizabeth Rowe, flute; John Ferrilllo, oboe, William R. Hudgins, clarinet; Richard Svoboda, bassoon; and James Sommerville, horn. The pianist for the concert was David Deveau.

Disclosure: I am not a musician nor have I studied music. I rarely go to concerts, although when I do, they are orchestral. The last one I attended was the Handel and Hayden Society’s production of the Messiah at Symphony Hall, Boston, this past December, a performance I thoroughly enjoyed. I did learn to play the piano as an adult, but had to “retire” after I had wrist surgery. My antique Steinway has been in storage for several years.

Enough about me. I would skip over the Bartók, too, because as a composer, he doesn’t interest me, but the playing was remarkable. I loved the interplay of the instruments, and the intensity and clarity of the music. Deveau was impressive, expressive, and if I could think of another “essive” word, he was that as well. I was enthralled the entire time they were playing the quintet, watching the musicians, impressed with their skill and technique. Deveau’s playing made me want to find a way to get my piano out of storage.

The Bagatelles were a delightful contrast, modern and complicated, demanding incredible technical skill and dexterity. The extended notes, particularly for the horn, were impressive.

I had never heard any pieces by Ligeti before, so along with the technical intricacies, I was pleased by the humor in the compositions. 

Of course, they saved the best for last. Not because the other pieces weren’t amazing, but because the Hungarian Dances were passionate and fabulous and breathtaking and.... Well, you get the idea.

The BSCP had commissioned the arrangements from Amlin for the concert and he did an exquisite and masterful job. Although job isn’t really the right word for his acumen. The Players announced the addition of the Hungarian Dance, No. 1 just before they started playing the Dances, and I’m so glad they did. The performance was simply brilliant. A privilege to attend. I would beg and plead them to release a recording very soon. (I feel like the judges on Britain’s Got Talent after hearing Susan Boyle for the first time.)

Jordan Hall itself was a delight - such a gorgeous setting and apparently, the acoustics are quite good. The photo on the left doesn't do it justice.

Let me thank my mother’s neighbors (anonymously) for giving us the tickets and enabling me to have such a great experience. 

And thank you to the the Boston Symphony Chamber Players for transporting me with their music. Bravo!

If you can, check out their upcoming concerts on the Boston Symphony Orchestra website: www.bso.org. You'll also find digital recordings and podcasts, including one for the sold out BSO series with YoYo Ma as guest soloist.