The Catskill Chronicle

By Barry Plaxen

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY (October 28, 2011) – For the last concert of the “Chamber Music at St. Andrew’s” 2011 season, we are grateful to producers Peggy and Robert Friedman, to the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church’s Congregation and also to the grant donors: Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and the Sullivan County Legislature. The vision(s) and largesse(s) of these entities culminated in another wonderful concert with world-class artists at the South Fallsburg church on October 22.

The evening began with a fascinating version of Bach’s “Harpsichord Concerto # 4 in A, BWV 1055.” Oboist Gerard Reuter (photo left), who thrilled audiences with his performance in the recent Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra’s “Music of Our Time” concert in Narrowsburg, explained that Bach may have written all the Harpsichord Concerti for other instruments, and possibly for the oboe d’amore for this particular concerto, and later transcribed them for harpsichord, a fact (or belief) of which most people are not aware. With a string quartet accompanying him, Mr. Reuter gave us another performance that was outstanding in his technical mastery and his exquisite phrasing and charismatic communication to the audience. The offering was highly appreciated by the full house.

Second on the program was British-American composer Rebecca Clarke’s “Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale” for clarinet and viola, a piece that reminded me much of Hindemith with its combination of tonality, dissonance and lyricism. World class artists Steven D. Hartman (photo right) and Sarah Adams (photo left) performed this rarely played piece – and again, like Hindemith who wrote for “weird” combinations of instruments – this rarely-composed-for duad of clarinet and viola.

Benjamin Britten’s “Phantasy Quartet” was then performed by Mr. Reuter, Richard Rood (violin, photo right below), Ms. Adams and Eugene Moye, Jr. (cello). The term “phantasy” is the old English spelling of the word “fantasia.” Britten’s Quartetwas first heard publicly in 1933 in an English radio broadcast featuring Leon Goossens, the composition’s dedicatee. Mr. Reuter explained about the elements of Britten’s pacifism that can be heard in the piece, an initial march theme initially offered by Mr. Moye Jr. (photo left) on cello, and the juxtaposition of lyricism against the quasi-military march theme that suggests the composer’s well-known pacifism.

The program ended with Brahms’ “Quintet in b, op. 115” for clarinet and string quartet. Written in 1891 for clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld, it is regarded as Brahms’s supreme chamber music achievement – though not by this writer. (I’ll vote for his Piano Quintet, Op. 34). As with much of Brahms’ creations, it is movingly somber. Even its “lighter” passages have that brooding quality of Brahms’ persona. What a joy to listen to and watch the world class musicians bring out all the voices and nuances inherent in the masterful composition. Laura Frautschi’s (photo right) first violin part had much of the melodies and so she was quite “in our ears” as she lovingly played Brahm’s beautiful themes. Mr. Hartman on clarinet and the other string players were dedicated to bringing forth all of the emotion inherent in this masterwork. I believe they have all performed together before and their superb ensemble playing was most evident throughout.

As usual, the church’s “youngish elders” treated the audience to a myriad of refreshments while people socialized after the evening’s outstanding performance. Great treats for the body after a great treat for the soul!