MINNESOTA COMES TO NEW YORK (9/25/2010)

I finally attended a recital in a conventional concert hall, Merkin Hall next to the Lincoln Center complex. The program, co-sponsored by the American Composers Forum and Minnesota State Arts Board, featured pianist Matthew McCright.  Minnesota has made quite a name for itself in new music circles, largely due to the efforts of such notable composers as Libby Larsen and Stephen Paulus.  The six composers represented on the program currently live in Minnesota,although they were not all born or raised there. (Kirsten Broberg, Justin Henry Rubin, Adam Wernick, James Marentic, Paul Cantrell, and Daniel Nass)  Two of the composers were present for the performance. 

Although the recital was entitled "Piano Innovation," there was nothing really innovative about any of the works except perhaps for "A Waltz through Vapor" by Justin Henry Rubin. The composer explained that when he was a child he noted that his father had a fascination with wax cylinder recordings.  Somehow, due to many playings of such cylinders, faint sounds from other recordings would bleed into the recording.  In this work, Rubin wants to convey such layers of sound.  Unfortunately, the performer couldn't project those layers successfully so much of the work seemed like a hodge-podge.  I could, however, imagine a performance that could achieve the composer's goals. 

All of the works performed were imaginative and held my interest. However, the performer was too glued to the scores much of the time and so the works were more performed as good readings rather than with the freedom and depth that  truly internalized knowledge of the scores can bring.  

The major work of the program, to me, was a work James Marentic entitled Rothko and inspired by the ideas and works of the famous visual artist.  It is quite moving and makes effective use of the piano.  All of the works performed would well repay study and seem like good additions to the repertoire. The pianist did a tremendous service by bringing these works to the public.  (Merkin Concert Hall, Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 8 p.m.)