Simon Aldrich: Clarinet
- Igor Stravinsky : Concerto in Eb (Dumbarton Oaks)
- John Adams : Gnarly Buttons for Clarinet and Chamber Ensemble
- Ludwig Van Beethoven : Symphony NO.5 in C minor, Op.67
1: a beautiful little piece from Stravinsky's neo-classical era. Stravinsky's interesting tribute to J.S. Bach's Brandenburg no.3. the piece is like intricate layers of sounds intertwined. very beautiful.
2: the 2nd movement titled "Hoedown (Mad Cow)" was composed during Mad-cow scare in Britain, the naming itself is already cynical. the comical sound does not bring out joy because of the background. it's so scary to think the fact this premier was by done by London Symhonietta (How did the audience react??) . the visual of violin sections not holding the bows is also scary... they mostly play pizz.
the piece forms sort of concerto style, yet the solo instrument is not treated as typical virtuously way (the part is not easy but the piece does not showcase the solo clarinet, so it's funny to see the "soloist" standing in front of the orchestra, which does not have no other clarinettists...)
The performance was relatively slow, making possible to see more structure of the piece (compare to the one done by Ensemble Intercontemporain) I never really cared for this piece but with the historical background it's got new meaning for me.
3: it's my first live experience of the 5th symphony. the famous theme was presented fairly lightly, which I think was appropriate. well executed most of the time. the audience's applause came right at the end of the last code... gave me no chance to feel happy with the echo and silence... Adams' piece on the other hand, no one clapped until the conductor actually faced the soloist. that WAS NICE!
