|
FESTIVAL REVIEW
Overflowing with Fine Music
August 12, 2001
|
By Mark Osten
The Napa Valley Chamber Music Festival presented a memorable concert Sunday at the Clos Pegase Winery, an evening of solid musicianship and sensitive playing. Although the acoustics in the long, narrow wine caves were almost too bright, producing a volume level rarely below mezzo forte, this was one of the very few things to quibble with.
Having announced that the concert of music by Haydn, Debussy, and Mozart was to honor Haydn and his enormous influence on chamber music, festival director Michael Adams spoke at some length before every piece, joking that "there will be short interludes of music between my speeches."
Opening the program was Haydn's Piano Trio in E Major, a relatively late work and essentially a piano sonata with string accompaniment. Pianist Seth Knopp navigated his busy part in fluid fashion, his playing contrasting nicely with the lyrical performances of violinist Daria Adams and cellist David Ellis. Most memorable was the second movement, which begins in unison octaves and communicates a dark, somber mood.
Next on the bill was the Alcan Quartet — violinists Stephan Arman and Nathalie Camus, violist Luc Beauchemin, and cellist David Ellis — playing the Debussy String Quartet in G Minor. In a strong performance, the players communicated the passion of the piece, though there could have been more dynamic contrast in the first movement. The second movement, with its famous pizzicato passages, was a dazzling display of virtuosity, rhythms well controlled and the drive sustained throughout. Except for an intonation slip at the end of the third movement, the last two movements also fared well. The concert's highlight was an exceptional performance of Mozart's great Quintet in A Major for Clarinet and Strings, played to the hilt. The clarinetist, Burt Hara, was outstanding, his tone liquid and fully rounded and his technique impeccable. He also led the quintet, handling the faster passages with ease and creating a wonderful singing tone in the slow movement. Hara has been principal clarinetist with the Minnesota Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra. This concert further solidified the reputation of the Napa Valley Chamber Music Festival as one of the North Bay's finest. The festival continues through August 19. (Mark Osten is a pianist and conductor, teaches music at Santa Rosa Junior College, and writes the program notes and gives preconcert lectures for the Santa Rosa Symphony.) ©2001 Mark Osten, all rights reserved |