Performing is interesting. I’ve found that I’m more analytical of what’s happening during my performances now than before. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m now able to devote a small portion of my overworked brain to something other than trying to execute the piece, or not, but I’m finding that I’ve reached a new, more comfortable place in my music-making.
Last night was the first of three nights celebrating the 100th birthday of Olivier Messiaen presented by Bob Priest’s Marzen concerts. Joël Belgique and I played the very difficult George Benjamin work Viola, viola on the concert. I was strangely calm before and during the performance, even with the false start that we had, and was very happy with how it went, even though there were obviously some sections that went much better in rehearsal. Previously, I would have been very upset, but that wouldn’t have had anything to do with the quality of the performance. Now, I feel like I’m able to step back and objectively evaluate what went well and enjoy the performance for those aspects, without dwelling on what didn’t pan out as planned.
As for the rest of the concert, it was a great experience as an audience member. Highlights for me were the incredible musicianship of violinists Jun Iwasaki and Inés Voglar in Gorecki’s hauntingly beautiful Sonata for Two Violins, a piece that was totally unknown to me, and deserves to be known to a wider audience for sure. The opening unison and octave lines were perfectly synchronized in rhythm and intonation, and a joy to hear.
Jun Iwasaki (click to enlarge)
Inés Voglar and Joël Belgique (click to enlarge)
Justin Kagan’s performance of Lutoslawki’s Sacher Variation for solo cello was a revelation, as I’d only previously heard the Dutilleaux Variations, part of a set of pieces commissioned for Rostropovich by the philanthropist and conductor Paul Sacher. Kagan’s performance was compelling and assured.
Justin Kagan (click to enlarge)
The final work, and the high point of the program for me, was the String Trio by Penderecki. A terse, two movement piece which is strongly reminiscent of Shostakovich, the Trio was given a stunning performance by the Free Marz Trio (Voglar, Belgique, and Kagan). It was a great evening of 20th – 21st century music.
