In this Canadian Commission round quartets perform the world premieres of the piece de concert co-sponsored by CBC and the Banff Centre.
The characters composer Ana Sokolovic chose from tradition for the three-movement, ten minute, Commedia dell’arte charmingly disarmed resistance to new ways of making music.
They were; Il Dottore, a loquacious speaker who says nothing
Colombina, a porcelain coquette perched on a music box and
Il Capitano a boastful soldier inclined to buffoonery.
Multiply three by nine quartets (or even by the 36 players) for the many characters who competed in extracting maximum comedic effect. The score’s glossary and instructions gave sketchy guidelines.
For example there were symbols for; the highest note possible
Exhale loudly with mouth, pronounce “Ffff “
Play…….as a guitar, change positions with left
hand as desired.
There were technical hurdles as well such as the harmonics for a music box sound, taxing rhythmic sequences and atypical sounds.
Having now heard each quartet play three works, and with score in hand, an idea of how each would proceed takes place in one’s mind. The Hausmann SQ (USA) went first and everything was a surprise.
These interesting things happened next:
* The Noga SQ (France) outlined the three figures with linear sharpness bringing them into focus.
The Asasello (Germany) brought to life the Spanish Captain‘s dance making sounds like stiletto heels on a wooden floor.
*The Atrium (Russia) played the most delicate harmonics for coquette on her music box. They also chose to use pitch in the guitar section playing a Spanish tune.
The Cecelia (Canada) in its chameleon versatility morphed smoothly from one figure to the next to a foot stomping end.
By intermission the new work’s success was secure.
Then:
*The Peresson (USA) took every opportunity to linger in song. All manner of chicanery happened in Il Capitano.
Quatuor Zaide (France) enunciated every word Il Dottore had to say.
*Afiara (Canada) with no reserve finished exposing the tawdry Captain whose appearance we had begun to look forward to.
Amaryllis (Germany) in final dramatic style donned masks and sashes to refresh the now familiar act.
* My favorite performances
A winner of this Canadian Commission round will be announced at the finals. The award includes $2000.
Enjoy listening here http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod.
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