An Orchestra that Deserves Its Venue

by Peter Kroll ©2006

Brian Current: Symphonies in Slanted Time • Kristin Kuster: Myrrha • Derek Bermel: Elixir • Stephen Paulus: Erotic Spirits. Deborah Voigt, soprano; Steven Sloane, conductor, American Composers Orchestra, ACO Singers (Judith Clurman, Director). Carnegie Hall. May 3, 2006.

It was really nice to be back in Carnegie's main hall with a full ACO. The program also was quite rewarding with two world premieres (Kuster, Bermel) and two New York premieres (Current, Paulus). Sadly, the hall was not very well attended. This does not bode well for new orchestral music. Pop music seems just too powerful and devouring these days.

Current's work is based on an interesting conception: he writes that “Rather then write music for a steady metronome, I wondered if it were possible to make the change in tempo the normal state of the music.” These constant tempo changes make for “slanted time” but where the “textures renew themselves through ever-changing tempos.”

This variation and renewal is evident in his composition. All sections of the orchestra are involved, and echoes of music swirl around the house. The waves are of different intensity, but overall a gentleness pervade! s the piece. This listener found it appealing and moving.

Bermel's nine-minute work used the whole house. In addition to a group on stage which played the main song, the Second Tier balconies had two separate groups of instrumentalists “providing a call-response counterpoint.” The composition has soft lilting melodies with an Eastern feel to them. Dynamics vary but a rich, languorous sound is maintained along with the sense of a ritual dance. The piece received warm applause.

Kuster's piece uses selections from Ovid's text on Myrrha . She was turned into a tree for punishment of her Oedipal sin which itself was caused by a god's jealousy. The myrrh's tree sap is said to be her tears. The work is a wonderful mix of colors and textures, often brilliantly pointillistic . But it also conveys pain, sadness and terror in soft but dramatic accompaniments to the texts. The ACO singers were clearly heard and felt. This is a thrilling work which deserves repeated performances.

Paulus' work was the highlight of the evening. Its text is from a collection of poems about sensuality, love and longing. The eight settings include works from Asia, ancient Rome and Greece . The composer writes that “part of what fascinated me was that these ancient [texts] wanted to express themselves about the topics of love, romance, loneliness just as people do today.” Paulus achieves an intriguing combination of timbres, rhythms, instrumental soli and orchestral tutti . The vocal soloist's diction was clear and incisive. He also writes that “There isn't much else to tell an audience about the work except that it is lyrical. I love creating melodies and love the human voice.” And, with Voigt's beautiful voice and her emotional commitment to the pieces, his love came through marvelously.