MCO delivers a powerful Beethoven
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By Jim Lowe Times Argus Staff - Published: October 27, 2009
MONTPELIER – The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra delivered a challenging and ultimately rewarding concert, Sunday afternoon at Vermont College of the Fine Arts' College Hall Chapel, that featured works of Mozart, Beethoven. (The program was also performed on Saturday evening.) It was conducted by Edward Markward, the third and final candidate for the position of the community orchestra's music director.
The major work, and the program's biggest success, was Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Opus 21. Under Markward, who is also music director of the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra and teaches at Rhode Island College, the MCO delivered a gutsy and musically convincing performance of The Titan's early masterpiece.
The opening movement, Adagio molto; allegro con brio, was delivered energetically and passionately. The slow movement, Andante cantabile con moto, though a little faster than is usually heard, was light and lyrical. In fact, the light lyricism, difficult to achieve, was a first for the orchestra.
The Menuetto was light and lively, but its middle trio was richly beautiful. The finale, Adagio; allegro molto e vivace, although not as focused as it could be, was truly potent. In fact, the entire performance was a most satisfying and powerful experience.
The most beautiful moment in Sunday's concert was the Andante, the slow movement, of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622. Not only did the soloist, Ian Greitzer, principal clarinetist with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, play with sublime expressiveness, Markward and the MCO achieved a flowing lyricism and glorious sound while sensitively accompanying him.
Greitzer's approach to the remainder of the concerto, though on the Romantic side, was among the most lyrical and expressive I have ever heard. He chose to ornament some of the beautifully simple lines, a practice espoused by some, but it hardly improves upon Mozart's own. Although there were some rough moments, the orchestra played warmly and lyrically and supported Greitzer well.
The most challenging work for the orchestra was Prokofiev's "Classical" Symphony, which opened the program. The work, which sets knotty 20th century harmonies and rhythms in a Classical structure, is terribly difficult and the MCO, a mix of amateurs and professionals, made quite a good stab at it. Although the violins had some trouble with the light and high moments, Markward kept the rhythm going, and the orchestra ultimately pulled it off. And there were some quite beautiful moments.
The MCO now has a most difficult choice to make, as all three candidates for music director position are most qualified and each has individual qualities unique to them. Markward was able to challenge the orchestra the most technically, as well as offering a deep understanding of the music.
In March, Victor Rosenbaum, also a Boston concert pianist, brought the orchestra a new and beautiful sound as well as musical depth. In November 2008, Paul Gambill, then of Nashville and now of Montpelier, brought an innovative approach to programming and a youthful enthusiasm.
The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra is expected to announce its choice soon.
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