The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Arts October 13, 2007

Obies Admire CME

Oberlin’s Contemporary Music Ensemble gave its first performance of the year in Warner Concert Hall last Saturday, Oct. 6. The audience grew as people surged in through the side doors during the first three pieces, until about half of the seats in the spacious concert hall were occupied, proof that the CME has wide appeal among Oberlin students. 

A wide range of musical sounds graced the audience that night. The first piece, Sofia Gubaidulina’s Meditation &uuml;ber den Choral Vor deinen thron tret ich hiermit von J.S. Bach quoted a few passages of Bach but did not have any other tonal elements. Its effect was entrancing, however, because of its unusual way of rhythmically creeping forward and the intense focus of the performers and conductor Timothy Weiss. Meditation provided a strong start to the concert, receiving great applause. 

Perhaps the most tonal piece of the night was Charles Wuorinen’s Bearbeitungen &uuml;ber das Glogauer Liederbuch, which felt like a strange Renaissance dance. The only shortfalls of this performance were in regard to intonation, a challenge for an ensemble made up of flute, clarinet, violin and bass. 

Maybe large ensemble pieces have an unfair advantage when it comes to impressing the audience, but the highlights of the night were the ones incorporating the most instrumentalists. The closing of the first set, Luciano Berio’s Corale (Sequenza VIII) brought the house down. Assistant Professor of Violin David Bowlin, the guest soloist, bowed repeated notes with great intensity while the ensemble of strings and two horns made great rushes of sound. Bowlin played with all the fervor of a great violinist.

Some listeners may feel unqualified to critique this music and do not feel that “new” art music is their musical language — the oldest piece performed at this concert was written in 1962. But the popularity of CME concerts and their enthusiastic reception is proof that Conservatory and College students alike are interested in what contemporary music has to offer. If nothing else, a piece such as Toru Takemitsu’s Tree Line is impressive for its array of atmospheric sounds masterfully played by a large ensemble, not to mention the performers’ enthusiasm and graciousness toward the audience.


 
 
   

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