MUSIC IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (10/30/2010)

Although there are lots of musical events in Brooklyn, it seems as though I have spent most of my time in Manhattan!  Therefore, I was determined to go to a Brooklyn event.  The music ensemble Omni was performing at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on the evening of October 30.  This instrumental ensemble, directed by flutist David Wechsler, changes configuration with each performance and for this concert included Wechsler on flutes of various sizes, Brian Snow on cello (and tam-tams for one work), James Johnston on piano and guest vocalist Renee Manning.

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The first work of the evening, Amiable Feast by up-and-coming composer Jay Vilnai, was a breezy program opener that made effective use of the flute, cello and piano.

The physically imposing Renee Manning then took over the stage with an eclectic mix, including "The Memphis Blues" and the more rarely heard "Likin' ain't like lovin'"by W.C. Handy; "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" as arranged by H.T. Burleigh; "I can't take my eyes off you" by Walton, Voders and Hogan; and "St.Louis Blues" by W.C. Handy. Her earthy voice was well suited to this repertoire.

A work by Eric Klein, "Dolce far niente," concluded the first half of the program.

An outstanding performance of one of Debussy's late works the Sonata for Cello and Piano, began the second half.This performance brought back great memories of studying and performing this work with cellist Virginia Hudson.  The entire program was courageously concluded with Good Night by Henryk Gorecki.  The work was composed as a requiem for a friend.  All three movements are slow and quiet.  The first two movements involve just the flute and piano.  The final movement includes the voice and tam-tams with a text from Hamlet:

"good night (sweet prince, and) flights of angels speed thee to thy rest."

At the very end of the movement the lowest tam tam solemnly intones the last note. In essence, the movement mimics natural death. Of course, I could not help but think of my dearly departed pet and feel that, once again, there was a larger purpose to my attending this event.