Performers: Keith Kibler, bass-baritone, Mimi Lou, cello, Liz Schwartzmann, piano, Eric Kang, piano, Edwin Lawrence, harpsichord, Ronald Feldman, cello, Doris Stevenson, piano, Robert Pasternak, piano

Program: Mendelssohn, "It Is Enough" (from "Elijah") - Keith Kibler, bass-baritone, Mimi Lou, cello, Liz Schwartzmann, piano
Bach, Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825: Preludium - Eric Kang, piano
Beethoven, Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: 1. Vivace, ma non troppo, Adagio espressivo, Tempo 1 - Eric Kang, piano
Buxtehude, Canzona in G minor, BuxWV 173 - Ed Lawrence, harpsichord
Buxtehude, "Auf meinem lieben Gott", BuxWV 179 - Ed Lawrence, harpsichord
Buxtehude, Toccata in G major, BuxWV 164 - Ed Lawrence, harpsichord
Beethoven, Variations on Mozart's "Magic Flute" - Ronald Feldman, cello, Doris Stevenson, piano
Robert Pasternak, "Stockbridge in Autumn" - Robert Pasternak, piano (world premiere?)

What a way to start off a concert! The inimitable Keith Kibler, accompanied very well by cello & piano (The cello was particularly effective, bringing out the pathos & deep emotion of the passage). Keith doesn't just sing, he doesn't simply deliver text or stay on pitch, he gives a performance, emotionally riveting & extremely compelling. That truncated space ("The Stage" at the stage end of Chapin Hall) was almost too small for the drama that Keith creates. Still, it was a thrill to be that close! Bravissimo, Maestro!

Elijah: It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! I desire to live no longer: now let me die, for my days are but vanity. I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts, for the children of Israel have broken Thy covenant, and thrown down Thine altars, and slain all Thy prophets, slain them with the sword. And I, even I only am left: and they seek my life to take it away! It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! Now let me die, Lord, take away my life! (No text was provided)

Mixing student with faculty performers is an excellent way to showcase both, not one of the former (4 in number) could be faulted for a lackluster performance or not measuring up.

Eric Kang played with confidence & feeling, and yes, one can bring out the emotional content of Bach, even if one is no Glenn Gould or Keith Jarrett! An apt comparison could be made between Kang's playing of the Bach Partita & Ed Lawrence's superb work at the harpsichord of the Buxtehude pieces. What a treat! I actually liked the Bach better than the Beethoven, & I am a confirmed Beethovenian!

Ed Lawrence's commentary, certainly his playing of the Buxtehude pieces was most enlightening. You could hear echoes of Handel & Bach throughout, particularly in the Toccata (Bach's famous organ fugues & preludes). And the Italianate quality of the Canzona came through quite well.

The Mozart variations, for cello& piano, was absolutely delightful. Talk about dynamic contrast! While Stevenson was working away at the piano, Feldman was putting on a virtuosic show on cello, hardly the mellow, hard to hear instrument one is used to hearing, or not hearing! Wonderfully deep bowing, never overplayed by piano, a joy to hear, & up close! May I add that I have always been impressed with Feldman's playing, this was no exception.

In some ways, the last piece on the program was the most compelling, all the lavish praise above notwithstanding. Robert Pasternak (No relation to Boris?) has written what sounds to my ears like an original work in process. There is improvisation, no doubt, there is also structure, content, certain echoes of Bill Evans & the aforementioned Keith Jarrett (two of my all-time favorites in jazz piano). I would look forward to hearing more from this young composer!

An excellent, full house beginning for this new series: "Midweek Music"! More to come!

<<<Back