Concert review: Faculty Concert, Brevard Music Center

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brevard Music Center (BMC) opened its 2024 Summer Festival with a faculty concert that showcased a line-up of musicians who are not simply extraordinary teachers – perhaps their primary calling at BMC – but also very fine performers.

Violinist Charles Mutter (associate leader, BBC Concert Orchestra) opened the concert with pianist Jihye Chang and, before the advertised Beethoven ‘Spring’ Sonata, he offered an enticing amuse bouche – the first movement of Hindemith’s Solo Violin Sonata op.31 no.2. The Beethoven was suitably characterful, with plenty of contrast and vivacity in the opening movement, and an Adagio with heartbreaking long lines and artful bow control. Perhaps there was a bit too much residual noise in the spiccato in the Scherzo, but I loved the rustic approach. Each variation of the finale was performed with characterful vision and appropriate whimsy.

Françaix’s Quartet for cor anglais and string trio followed, evidence of thoughtful programming as the imaginative, spring-like mood of the opening Allegro seemed a natural derivative of the Beethoven – even if occupying a completely different tonal world. Perhaps the string trio could have been more sensitive to the cor anglais in the faster movements, but the slower ones were well balanced.

After the interval, alto flautist Amy Porter gave a stunning solo performance of Eve Beglarian’s I will not be sad in this world on a darkened stage, which was followed attacca by Copland’s Appalachian Spring, executed with confidence and beauty, especially from the wind soloists. BMC is clearly not just a mountain gem, but a top-notch summer music festival in an unparalleled setting.

LEAH HOLLINGSWORTH