* Notes *
Mahler Chamber Orchestra performed a few Mozart piano concertos with Mitsuko Uchida (pictured with the orchestra, {photograph} by A. Bofill) as director and pianist at Cal Performances final Sunday. The taking part in was crisp and animated.
Uchida had the orchestra sounding clear and there was a way of breath within the phrasing. The flute and the primary oboe might sound aggressive, however in one of the simplest ways. The strings too had been harsh of their down bows through the first Allegro vivace in Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat main, Ok. 456, but it surely was actually completely different, I have never thought Mozart being approached this manner. I beloved Uchida’s taking part in, her legato is so completely easy and her staccato so differentiated from that.
Uchida’s cadenza within the Allegro maestoso of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C main, Ok. 467 was virtually romantic. The taking part in was so stunning within the Andante, it had me in tears, and that final Allegro vivace assai was joyous.
We additionally heard Janáček’s Mládí (1924) for Wind Sextet in between the Mozart items. Scored for flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and horn, the musicians all stood in a semi-circle to play. The piece is humorous and spirited, individuals could not maintain themselves from laughing at occasions, and there was spontaneous applause after the primary motion Allegro. The music is lushly verdant and was deftly performed.
* Tattling *
The efficiency began 5 minutes late, however included a dedication to composer Sofia Gubaidulina, who died per week in the past and to chemistry professor Alex Pines, who handed away on November 1, 2024. Pines was an incredible supporter of Cal Performances. Each my companion on the efficiency and I had been in his Chemistry 1A in Pimentel Corridor, the place he would play classical music recordings earlier than class began.
There was just a little digital noise famous throughout a quiet a part of Piano Concerto No. 21. In any other case, there was numerous coughing and rustling of cough drop wrappers.
