St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, MA
September 27, 2014
by Barbara Stroup
To kick-off their impressive 2014-2015 season, Berkshire Bach
Society welcomed Fall with a fine group of musicians who are the artistic core
of Orchestra of St. Luke’s in New York City.
In a concert called “Bridging the Baroque," the program
began with Mozart and ended with Vivaldi. Featuring violinist Krista Feeney,
Vivaldi’s "The Four Seasons" was fiery, fierce, and passionate
without being frenetic. Feeney had total command of her instrument, which freed
her to play with sincerity and respect for the many changes in tempo and
virtuosity that the music required. Ms. Mann had a wonderful flute technique
for the Bach Orchestral Suite as well. She chose dance-like tempi that seemed
entirely appropriate, and it was a relief not to hear this music rushed. Both
soloists' ability to apply vibrato with conservative restraint was wonderful to
the ears.
The ensemble behind these two players shone just as brightly
as the soloists did, anchored by an amazing bass section that gave distinction
to that pivotal department. John Feeney, on bass, was as virtuosic as it is
possible to be on that slow-responding instrument, never allowing the sound to
be anything but clear and supportive, both to the soloists and to his cello and
keyboard companions.
Accustomed to hearing these pieces played by a much larger
ensemble, the music gained in St. Luke’s presentation by letting the middle
lines through, and listeners could hear both the support and complexity of
Louise Schulman’s viola.
The concert was a gem in the acoustically rich space that
the Mahaiwe has become, and the appreciation for the venue - as well as for
Berkshire Bach - was reflected in a nearly sold-out house.
Berkshire Bach Society is dedicated to sharing the vast and
wonderful repertoire of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries, the
composers who influenced his work and those he inspired to achieve musical
timelessness. Berkshire Bach seeks to reach the broadest possible audience for
the works of J.S. Bach and his musical peers, mentors and followers.
Performances range from solo instrumental recitals to large choral works with
full orchestra.
