By Daniel Buckwalter
From the throaty first notes of the cello in Johannes Brahms’ Clarinet Trio in A minor to the ending flourish of Arnold Schönberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 1, microphilharmonic offers classical music fans a lovely and relaxed late spring concert to end its season.
The chamber concert is performed again on June 12 at The Shedd Institute, and I would encourage everyone to hear it.
Its richness begins from the very outset in Brahms’ piece. Cellist Kathryn Brunhaver and clarinetist Michael Anderson engage in a musical conversation throughout the four movements that is exquisite.
Some of it is tender, while other parts are whimsical, and there is a deeply soulful passage in the middle that can still the mind. It’s as if the two are longtime friends, family members, or lovers on a long walk and we are privy to their most intimate thoughts.
Throughout the piece, the clarinet and cello is ushered by the pianist, Eunhye Grace Choi. Think of her role as that of the narrator, gently stitching together the narrative and maintaining the flow of the piece.
Arnaud Ghillebaret on violin and Kristen Halay on flute fill out the micophilharmonic ensemble for Schönberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 1.
The original score was for a larger chamber ensemble, but at Schönberg’s request, a student, Anton Webern, condensed it into an arrangement for five players, and this version of the piece was premiered in 1925. It’s a brisk, five-movement piece with no breaks, tricky in spots, and always lively. It is a joy to listen to.
Again, I would encourage everyone to hear microphilharmonic’s season finale at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12, at The Shedd, a relaxing concert to end the busy performing arts season.
