adrian
02-18-2004, 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: Another review from old Saint Louis
Guitar Society
By CHRISTIAN C. RIX
Special to the Post-Dispatch
02/01/2004
The cold hand of winter seemed to lose some of its power on Saturday night when the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presented a warm program titled "The Power of Love," with soprano Ellen Hargis and lutenist Paul O'Dette.
It is odd how music of Elizabethan and Stuart times projects congenial feelings, seeing that historically the period is one of religious dissension, unremitting court intrigue, war and rebellion. Yet the music of John Dowland and Henry Purcell really satisfies the soul.
The performers started out with four vocal numbers by Dowland. These songs quickly established that Hargis has an excellent technique. She supports well, projects her voice throughout the hall, is musically solid, exhibits excellent diction and has an attractive timbre to boot. O'Dette supported Hargis unobtrusively and effectively, achieving that self-effacing manner so necessary for an accompanist. But lovers of instrumental music were not to be disappointed in the program. Four further numbers by Dowland followed the opening vocals. Here O'Dette was able to show his elegant virtuosity on the tenor lute.
The program switched back to vocals, with music of Purcell. For these numbers, O'Dette shifted to the theorbo, an awkwardly long-necked member of the lute family with a set of unstopped bass strings. The performers were again delightful, particularly during "I attempt from Love's sickness to fly."
After intermission, the scene shifted to Italy with music of Barbara Strozzi, Allesandro Piccinini and Luigi Rossi. It mirrored in structure the first portion with vocal numbers bracketing instrumentals. The team tackled the Italians with as much success as they had the English. The Italian works were rather
more emotionally edgy than the British as one would expect, "Tradimento!" by Strozzi being especially noteworthy.
Hargis was able to show off her very fine coloratura technique in the vocals, while O'Dette again earned his solo time in the spotlight in the works by Piccinini.
While the Guitar Society consistently puts on admirable instrumental programs for St. Louis, the slight shift of this evening was a well-judged and well-received departure from the regular presentations.
Guitar Society
By CHRISTIAN C. RIX
Special to the Post-Dispatch
02/01/2004
The cold hand of winter seemed to lose some of its power on Saturday night when the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society presented a warm program titled "The Power of Love," with soprano Ellen Hargis and lutenist Paul O'Dette.
It is odd how music of Elizabethan and Stuart times projects congenial feelings, seeing that historically the period is one of religious dissension, unremitting court intrigue, war and rebellion. Yet the music of John Dowland and Henry Purcell really satisfies the soul.
The performers started out with four vocal numbers by Dowland. These songs quickly established that Hargis has an excellent technique. She supports well, projects her voice throughout the hall, is musically solid, exhibits excellent diction and has an attractive timbre to boot. O'Dette supported Hargis unobtrusively and effectively, achieving that self-effacing manner so necessary for an accompanist. But lovers of instrumental music were not to be disappointed in the program. Four further numbers by Dowland followed the opening vocals. Here O'Dette was able to show his elegant virtuosity on the tenor lute.
The program switched back to vocals, with music of Purcell. For these numbers, O'Dette shifted to the theorbo, an awkwardly long-necked member of the lute family with a set of unstopped bass strings. The performers were again delightful, particularly during "I attempt from Love's sickness to fly."
After intermission, the scene shifted to Italy with music of Barbara Strozzi, Allesandro Piccinini and Luigi Rossi. It mirrored in structure the first portion with vocal numbers bracketing instrumentals. The team tackled the Italians with as much success as they had the English. The Italian works were rather
more emotionally edgy than the British as one would expect, "Tradimento!" by Strozzi being especially noteworthy.
Hargis was able to show off her very fine coloratura technique in the vocals, while O'Dette again earned his solo time in the spotlight in the works by Piccinini.
While the Guitar Society consistently puts on admirable instrumental programs for St. Louis, the slight shift of this evening was a well-judged and well-received departure from the regular presentations.