Above: the artists of Ensemble Connect; photo by Fadi Kheir
Author: Oberon
Tuesday February 21st 2023 - Ensemble Connect offering a wide-ranging program at Weill Hall this evening, opening with Jennifer Higdon's Dark Wood, a work for bassoon and piano trio. Nik Hooks, the Ensemble's excellent bassoonist, kicked off his busy evening here (he played in three of the four works); for the Higdon, he was joined by pianist Joanne Kang, cellist Laura Andrade, and guest violinist Stephanie Zyzak. The piece's title refers to the lustrous, deep-dark polish of the bassoon.
Dark Wood opens with staccati for the bassoon and piano; the plucking violin and cello soon join. The music is jagged, buzzing with trills and big accents, full of nervous energy. A prolonged note for bassoon launches a sprightly, animated passage; then the piano begins to rumble, the bassoon and cello playing deep. Another long, dark bassoon tone leads to slithering strings and a pulsing piano motif.
Above: bassoonist Nik Hooks; performance photo by Fadi Kheir
The violin and cello sigh, and things turn dreamy. Dotty violin notes sound over a wistful bassoon melody and then the cello offers a rich theme; this is all quite beautiful to hear. Things perk up, with the bassoon trilling and the strings sizzling, and then Ms. Kang at the keyboard takes over, with big playing, agitated and insistent. Heartfelt strings and a forlorn song for bassoon and piano follow; Ms. Kang offers plucked notes with a "prepared piano" sound, the others playing poignantly. Now the music rushes forward, somewhat chaotically, to a brisk finish.
Ms. Kang and Mr. Hooks were soon back onstage for Mozart's delightful Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat Major, K. 452, joined by three more of the Ensemble Connect's brilliant wind players: Amir Farsi (flute), Jasmina Spiegelberg (clarinet), and Cort Roberts (horn).
Mozart apparently thought highly of this piece, and he would doubtless have loved this evening's performance of it. It opens rather hesitantly; Mr. Roberts plushy, golden tone immediately grabbed me, frustrated high-school horn player that I am. The blend of wind voices was sonorous, and after the piano introduces a new and more animated theme, it is passed about from instrument to instrument.
Above: Cort Roberts (horn) and Jasmina Spiegeberg, clarinetist; performance photo by Fadi Kheir
The Larghetto brings us a gracious, courtly melody, with Ms. Spiegelberg's lambent tone and persuasive phrasing leading the way; flute, horn, and bassoon take up the line in succession. A bel canto atmosphere develops, with the piano offering accentuations; Mr. Roberts' horn cavatina is so stylish, with the others harmonizing expressively.
The final Rondo/Allegretto rolls along, each player showing a vibrant sense of virtuosity: a sustained flute trill from Mr. Farsi was but one of many decorative delights.
Above: composer Michi Wiancko
Michi Wiancko's 7 Kinships, a Carnegie Hall commission, was having its New York premiere this evening. The composer charmingly introduced the work; she spoke of how 7ths and 9ths express a feeling of longing. I could not agree more.
Above: The evening's wind players - Mssrs. Farsi, Hooks, and Roberts, and Ms. Spiegelberg - giving a sterling performance of the Wiancho; performance photo by Fadi Kheir
In the work's seven brief movements, Ms. Wiancho's thoughtful craftsmanship gave the players ample opportunity to revel in their artistry. The music ranges from lyrical to animated, with moods veering from whimsical to lamenting. The sounds of the instruments entwine to delight the ear, sometimes in strange harmonies, whilst rhythmically the composer displays touches of wit. The musicians seemed to genuinely enjoy playing this music.
Before commencing the program's final work, Robert Schumann's Piano Quintet, violist Halam Kim read one of the composer's letters to his beloved Clara; I admit this outpouring of love brought tears to my eyes. And then to recall that it was Clara who played the quintet's demanding piano part at the work's public premiere, making it all the more touching.
Above, playing the Schumann: Mr. Rengel, with Mlles. Zyzak, kang, Andrade, and Kim; photo by Fadi Kheir
The Ensemble Connect's marvelous violinist, Rubén Rengel, led the ensemble, with Ms. Kang honoring Clara Schumann with her delectable playing, and Mlles. Zyzak, Kim, and Andrade all sounding gorgeous.
This beloved work is bursting with magical passages: the 'dialogue' for cello and viola in the opening movement, a theme to which Mozart frequently returns, is especially endearing, and in the dirge-like second movement, Mr. Rengel 's playing is exceptional. Mlles. Zyzak and Kim take ups this calmly funereal theme, and Ms. Abdrade's sumptuous tone is ever at the heart of the matter.
In the bustling Scherzo, Mr. Rengel is again in his element, and Ms. Kang has much to do, her rising scales setting the scene for a fast dance, her music-making on the grand scale. It is Ms. Kang who initiates the final Allegro ma non troppo with her scintillating playing. A hymn-like interlude arises, and then low rumblings from the piano develop into a slow sway; this then accelerates, dancing us on to the finish.
All performance photos by Fadi Kheir, courtesy of Carnegie Hall.
~ Oberon