Kate Lindsey Premieres "...among the leaves..."

Sunday March 16, 2008 - Mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey who earlier this season enjoyed a genuine and memorable success as Cherubino in Mozart's NOZZE DI FIGARO at the Met, joined the New York Youth Symphony this afternoon at Carnegie Hall in the premiere of a new work by Jacob Bancks, "...among the leaves..." conducted by Ryan McAdams. Kate's voice made an immediate impression on me when I first heard her as Tebaldo in Verdi's DON CARLO at the Met a couple of seasons back. Her performance as Cherubino and her recital at the Goethe Institute last season confirmed for me that she is one of the finest young singers on the scene today. (Sample Kate's recital repertory here; click on "Listen"). I've had the date of this Carnegie appearance circled in red ever since I noticed it on her website.

Jacob Bancks has the unusual distinction for a young (26-year-old) composer of having two works premiered on the same weekend: while "...among the leaves..."  is being sung at Carnegie Hall, the South Dakota Symphony are presenting the first performances of Jacob's Piano Concerto. The composer's website is currently a work-in-progress (my guess would be he's too busy composing and traveling hither and yon for his premieres to be working on his site...which is a good thing, actually). One of the things I loved about this afternoon's concert was the huge number of young people in attendance. Usually symphonic concerts tend to attract a more 'senior' crowd but Carnegie Hall today was far from stodgy. The youthful players onstage found a reflection in the audience  who were very attentive to the music on offer.

"...among the leaves..." begins with an explosive orchestral statement that seems to designate the bursting of buds on the trees and the shaking off of winter's grip. Bancks uses a large orchestra with skill and highlights individual instruments. Unlike many composers of recent generations, he writes with real feeling for the human voice. He seems to understand and show the singer's range and colours, and while the orchestra plays a far more vital role than merely accompanying the vocalist, she is never swamped or pushed to extremes. Thus we were able to enjoy Kate's singing on a direct emotional level. Her instrument, reminiscent - in its sense of intimate warmth - of that of the beloved Frederica von Stade, has a wonderfully polished glow. Mr. Bancks lets us hear the tonal allure of both Kate's upper and lower registers, her remarkable dynamic control, passages where the voice is moved with a 21st century feeling of fiorature, and also some moments of poignantly expressive straight tone. Kate was very warmly applauded, along with conductor Ryan McAdams, and they gestured to Jacob who took his bow from a first-tier box.   

The programme opened with a fine performance of the Brahms ACADEMIC FESTIVAL OVERTURE with its thrice-familiar themes. In this work, assistant conductor Vince Lee led the large New York Youth Orchestra; these young musicians created a nicely cushioned sound highlighted by the clarity of individual instrumentation. Ryan McAdams then assumed the podium and the very young members of the Brooklyn Technical High School Chamber Chorus took the stage along with Kate for an excellent set of vocal and instrumental music by Charles Ives (photo).

The moody and mysterious opening of CENTRAL PARK IN THE DARK, like the settling of a summer evening's mist, eventually gives way to boisterous quotes from "My Ragtime Gal". Kate sang IN FLANDERS FIELDS (left) which incorporates snatches of patriotic tunes and even La Marseillese and is a timely reflection on the conflicts of patriotism and pacifism. The chorus then joined her for the sort of mini-cantata, GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH ENTERS INTO HEAVEN which has undertones of old-time gospel songs. Near the end the composer brilliantly introduces the piano to underscore the voice. Kate's raptly introspective singing of SERENITY was breathtakingly linked to the haunting opening phrases of THE UNANSWERED QUESTION. The canny choice of pieces and the musicianship & commitment of everyone onstage made a persuasive statement for Ives.

The concert was reviewed in the NEW YORK TIMES.

Kate goes from here to Boston were she is slated to sing opposite Nathan Gunn in the world premiere of John Harbison's 5th Symphony under the baton of James Levine (April 17/18) followed by concert performances of LES TROYENS by Hector Berlioz (Kate sings Ascanius). In the photo at left, mezzo Tamara Mumford and Kate flank Mr. Harbison. Next season at the Met promises a triple treat for me as Kate is scheduled to sing in Wagner's RING Cycle with sister-Rhinemaidens Ms. Mumford and Lisette Oropesa.

Comments

[Ariel]

I hate that I missed this show! I had house guests and had been too exhausted to attend--but it seems like it was really awesome!

[philip]

Hi Ariel, I think you would really have enjoyed this concert. Jacob, the composer, thinks recordings of both "...among the leaves..." and his Piano Concerto may be forthcoming.