Music Reviews

Jan 7, 2005 - Reno Chamber Orchestra's superb Nevada Chamber Music Festival's snowy conclusion

By Jack Neal

Five exciting concerts in, in what was supposed to be an eight concert series, the Reno Chamber Orchestra's inaugural Nevada Chamber Music Festival was cut short by snowfall in Reno. Even the most stalwart of concert goers in the World's Biggest Little City, and there are many, opted for safety rather than risk the elements.

The festival's last three concerts, scheduled for New Year's Eve 2004 day, afternoon and night at Nightingale Concert Hall on the University of Nevada, Reno campus were canceled "out of concern for the safety of our patrons," said RCO executive director Scott Faulkner.

What wasn't canceled was the good will generated by the five concerts audiences heard. The festival, masterminded by the RCO's maestro Theodore Kuchar, was - from what I heard - inspired; the miraculous translation of printed notes into the exhilarating sounds of great music.

Other commitments made it impossible for me to hear but one of the concerts, the last concert played Thursday (12/30/04), and what electrifying and edifying listening it was.

Opening with Beethoven's String Quartert No. 1 in F major with violinists Ellen dePasquale and Phillip Ruder, violist Virginia Blakeman and cellist John Lenz, followed by Schubert's Piano Trio in B-flat major with pianist Pascale Roge, violinist Jennifer Frautschi and cellist Ronald Leonard, and closing with Brahms's Piano Quintet in F minor with pianist Sergei Babayan, violinists Ellen DePasquale and Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, violist Theodore Kuchar and cellist Alexander Ivashkin, the program was stunningly, in the best sense of the word, played.

Set up by Kuchar with a splendid mix of top Reno and international musicians, the programs featured "Music of Our Time" (at noon with such composers as Schulhoff, Ali-Zadeh and Schnittke), "Afternoon Sonatas" (at 4 p.m. with such composers as Dvorak, Barber and Franck) and "Masterpiece Concerts" (at 7 p.m. with great works from the more standard repertory).

In addition to the musicians in the Thursday evening concert, the series included violinist James Buswell, violist Robert Vernon, cellist Suren Bagratuni, bassist Scott Faulkner, and pianists Derek Han and James Winn.

The artists were teamed in such a manner as to match the personality of each player and their colleagues with the creative individualism of each composer. As the festival's artistic director, Kuchar did the mixing and matching in the same inimitable fashion that has made his inventive programming so exciting for the Reno Chamber Orchestra's growing number of fans. The momentum of intense rehearsals and performances and the camaraderie of the musicians made these performances major achievements.

The Beethoven was distinguished, a glorious presentation that underscored the impetuous innovator Beethoven - on the threshold of creating a powerful new voice for music - was becoming. The Schubert was sublimely lyric with a passion for the fireworks this lovely trio provides when played by performers who know what's there and how to make the most of it. The Brahms was ravishingly brought off, with a beauty of line and an excavation of soul that will linger in memory as being nothing less than rapturous and truly magnetic.

Kuchar's collection of exceptional musicians playing exceptional music brought forth a collection of stellar performances worthy of any of the world's great centers of culture. I look forward to the next installment, next year perhaps, when great music masterfully played once again generates golden days for chamber music in Northern Nevada.

Bravo to all who made this terrific festival happen.

For other Reno Chamber Orchestra concerts and events call 775 348-9413.