Music Reviews

May 17, 2004 - Kuchar ends his first season at the helm of the Reno Chamber Orchestra brilliantly

By Jack Neal

Sell-out concerts with fans clamoring for more has opened the door for the Reno Chamber Orchestra to add repeat concerts for each of its subscription programs next season. Always a solid orchestra, the RCO's new conductor has energized what had become a still good but staid organization.

Under the assured leadership and alluring programming of Theodore Kuchar, it's not quite hell, fire and brimstone that reigns supreme at current Reno Chamber Orchestra concerts; it's high expectations that are paid off with lots of excitement and devil-may-care performances. That RCO performances are as exceptional as they are cliffhangers only adds the fire of fulfillment to the superior work Kuchar has done here this season.

As the feminist movement likes to say, "We've come a long way baby," the Reno Chamber Orchestra and its growing legions of fans may now also say. Saturday night's concert (5/15/04) at Nightingale Concert Hall before another SRO crowd left no one unhappy. The concert had all of the ingredients of a major musical event.

Any program that includes Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, Dvorak's Czech Suite, Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano, and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor is eclectic to say the least. It's also a provocative listing for fans and musicians who like to be challenged.

Making listening even more challenging, violinist James Buswell gave the Mendelssohn a make over of sorts. Buswell is not just a splendid violinist he's an investigative musician who doesn't take someone else's word for it regarding a composer's intentions. Buswell's variations on what has become a traditionalist's view of Mendelssohn's popular concerto probably would not be noticed by many, except for all those violinists in the orcherstra who know the work like the backs of their hands.

Buswell doesn't just turn on the virtuosity with whatever it is he plays. He ponders it and makes his every performance a first-time event for those fortunate enough to experience his very special brand of musicianship. The Mendselssohn was fresh and burnished from all concerned, a genuine collaboration between orchestra, conductor and soloist that fused into one of those rare presentations that can legitimately be called memorable.

Memorable, too, was the Bach. Played sans doubling, Bach's Brandenburg No. 6 was uncluttered and dazzling. Kuchar traded his baton for a viola. Buswell traded his violin for a viola. The results were warm, dark hues of string coloration - and Bach as it was meant to be played.

Likewise, the Respighi was as Respighi is meant to be played. It was radiant with many excellent individual performances. Bassoonist Holly Hazlett-Stevens, flutist Mary Miller, pianist James Winn, concertmaster Phillip Ruder, oboist Andrea Lenz all deserve accolades for lists of wonderful moments.

The Dvorak was earthy, vibrant, lyrical, and dangerous. One of the fascinating things about Kuchar's conducting is that he flatters his orchestra by never conducting down to it. He interprets without pulling punches. Listening to the RCO playing on the edge of Kuchar's lack of punch pulling is revelatory listening, yet it's not without its bumps and grinds. The orchestra only has five rehearsals to get on board with whatever it is its conductor is going to throw its way; and a demanding conductor is full of surprises.

But what great fun it is when a demanding conductor kicks things into high gear. Great music, great interpretations and great performances are the stuff from which great orchestras are made.

For information regarding the Reno Chamber Orchestra's 2004-2005 season and other Reno Chamber Orchestra concerts and events call 775-348-9413.