Review of Concert

Kalistos Chamber Orchestra

Sunday, April 24, 2005, 3:00 PM
Edward M. Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music,
Cambridge, MA

The Kalistos Chamber Orchestra is a relative newcomer to Beantown. Founded in 2002, they have already made a name for themselves as noteworthy additions to both the local standard literature and contemporary music scenes. This concert placed two excellent works by a pair of local composers alongside Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite.

John McDonald accurately describes his Music for Piano and String Orchestra (1995) as "not quite a piano concerto, but not really chamber or orchestral music." The keyboard part is showy but does not dominate the piece, while the ensemble backing shows elements of writing for both small and large forces. The work's harmonic language, reminiscent of early 20th-century dissonant American composers such as Copland and Sessions, is well handled.   And its four movements flow uninterruptedly into each other, outlining unusual architecture along the way. It says much for McDonald's talent that he builds a fully satisfying entity from what might in lesser hands come off as messy or unfocused—a highly effective and unique effort.

The Violin Concerto (2004) is one of Andrew List's finest compositions. Like the McDonald, it relies on structures both nonstandard and telling as well as a deftly elucidated sound world that is scalar yet non-triadic. Motivically, the music is as tight as a weight-lifter's muscles. Scoring is vibrant and instrumental writing idiomatic. And the work unfolds in a manner both logical and inventive. In short, it's a terrific entry well worth revisiting.

Both soloists pleased immensely. Pianist Winston Choi played McDonald's piece with a powerful yet fetching tone and pinpoint technique, while Eva Szekely gave the violin part to List's concerto with sensitive melodic shaping and a big, bright sound that never lacked for expressiveness. Chris Younghoon Kim's conducting displayed evidence of a sure hand and sensitive ears, a fine match indeed for his talented, exuberant ensemble.

--David Cleary