Concert review: New York Philharmonic Ensembles

I thoroughly enjoyed the programming at the New York Philharmonic Ensembles’ season opening concert this autumn: it was interesting, varied and the musicians were clearly having fun. Principal violist Cynthia Phelps and assistant principal Cong Wu opened the programme with a selection of six from Bartók’s 44 Duos, introduced as a ‘cross country trip’ as they travelled from the Transylvanian Song via the Arabian Song to the Ukrainian Song. All were played with whimsy and mastery, highlighting their off-kilter rhythms and harmonies.

Edgar Meyer’s Canon and Duet for cello and bass from Appalachian Journey followed, demonstrating pristine intonation and beautiful ensemble between the new assistant principal cellist Matthew Christakos and assistant principal bass Blake Hinson. To end the first half, concertmaster Frank Huang and seven more Philharmonic violinists played Andrew Norman’s Gran Turismo with clarity and great ensemble.

Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet in D minor – apparently one of four that he composed in his early teens – gave remarkable glimpses into his compositional style, with its mix of exuberance and tenderness. Brahms’s great Trio in A minor op.114 closed the afternoon and, while this work arguably represented the emotional heart of the concert, the actual realisation of the score was not as satisfying as some of the other works. Intonation issues and disappointing climactic moments riddled the performance, although the lovely cello opening solo foreshadowed the soulful playing to come from longtime Philharmonic member Qiang Tu, and the finale combined whimsical phrasing and good energy to the end.

LEAH HOLLINGSWORTH

Image: courtesy Kaufman Music Center