Heitor Villa-Lobos - Bachianas brasileiras No. 1
Gabriel Fauré - Sicilienne from the Pelléas et Mélisande Suite
Gabriel Fauré - Berceuse from the Dolly Suite
Heitor Villa-Lobos - Bachianas brasileiras No. 5
Astor Piazzolla - Lunfardo (arr. for cello ensemble by Harold Noben)
Astor Piazzolla - Libertango (arr. for cello ensemble by José Carlí)
Astor Piazzolla - Revirado (arr. for cello ensemble by David Riniker)
José Carlí - Estampas de Palermo: No. 3 La Diquera (arr. for cello ensemble)
Astor Piazzolla - Adiós Nonino (arr. for cello ensemble by Julio Medaglia and Jacques Ammon)
Astor Piazzolla - Soledad (arr. for cello ensemble by Ludwig Quandt)
Horacio Salgán - A Don Agustín Bardi (arr. for cello ensemble by David Riniker)
Astor Piazzolla - Escualo (arr. for cello ensemble by David Riniker)
Astor Piazzolla - Tres minutos con la realidad (arr. for cello ensemble by David Riniker)
Soprano - Anna Prohaska
Dancers - Laura Fernández and Daniel Orellana
Originally I thought to mark the last night of my first stay in Berlin with a chamber concert would be a tame end, but the performance turned out to be one of the most enjoyable musical evenings. Items on first half of the concert were more in the category of 'serious music' and French influenced. One would need to concentrate and understand the musical language, but also to appreciate the beauty and unique harmonic structure by Villa-Lobos. In contrast, the second half focused more on rhythmic movements and melodic tunes. The music were sophisticated in its own way and never pedestrian neither hints of vulgarity. The arrangements for cello ensemble were appropriately selected and retained the sparkles and virtuosic display. On the programme Fauré's Sicilienne and the fifth set of Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras were most familiar to me. When I heard Piazzolla's Libertango and Adiós Nonino, I felt ignorant not to take notice of the foremost Argentine Tango composer before. The majestic tone of the cellos enhanced the beauty of musical colour and emotions . The twelve musicians were technically superb by demonstrating a diverse tone colours in their playing, also maintained the momentum and musical shape. Anna Prohaska was spotted on with the intonation and the timbre to match the exotic colour in Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, but I was not too convinced by her diction and slightly lacking the drive of emotion in her singing. The dancers gradually unleashed the fireworks in passionate movements as the second half went on. The tango 'flair' in the music came to life visually and the dazzling outfits added a variety of colours onto the stage. As a whole, it was a well planned concert with the delights of musical discovery.
No comments:
Post a Comment