On Sunday, Nov. 2 the 23-piece Concert Festival Orchestra presented a concert at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library of Grand Prix Winners from its 2014 Concerto Competition.
Conducted by Maestro Vladimir Polezhayev, the concert featured four pianists in the first half and two violinists and a vocalist in the second.
Ten year-old Alexander Chan from Manhattan opened the festivities with a performance of J.S. Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor, 3rd movement, that displayed even finger work, good projection and fine control of tempo.
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, 2nd movement, was given a languid interpretation by 13-year-old Christine Ramirez from Glen Head. Ramirez concentrated on drawing a tender sound from the piano, pulling the audience in to create an ensemble effect in partnership with the orchestra.
Mina Sarcevic, 14, from Dix Hills, performed Mozart’s dark Concerto #20 in D minor, 1st movement, choosing to feature a cadenza by J.N. Hummel rather than the one by Beethoven that is the overwhelmingly more common choice. Hummel’s cadenza was a pleasure to hear, containing a number of embellishments of Mozart’s major themes with interesting keyboard treatments while remaining idiomatic to Mozart’s style.
Six-year-old Renee Chieu from Brooklyn, concluded the piano soloists with an unhurried performance of Haydn’s Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XIV:4. Chieu projected an unforced sound that paired nicely with the orchestra’s careful accompaniment under the watchful eye of Maestro Polezhayev.
Nine year-old Kei Obata from Mamaroneck, began the second half performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto #3 in G Major, 1st Movement. Obata played a one-half sized violin with which he carried surprisingly well, supported by Maestro Polezhayev’s restrained accompaniment. Obata displayed good control of passages, nicely shaped melodies and incisive rhythm, all played in a simple, direct and spirited style.
Soprano Gwyneth Campbell, 15, from Manhattan, performed three works well-calculated to display her wide coloratura range and skills. In the popular “Bist du bei mir” (Stolzel, attributed to Bach), her upper register had a haunting, flute-like quality. In Mozart’s aria “Batti, batti, bel Masetti” from Don Giovanni, Campbell projected more power in her upper register while singing rapid passage work with clean definition. In Strauss’ famous “Laughing Song” from Die Fledermaus, Campbell added a charming stage manner to her interpretation.
Violinist Enako Matsumoto, 11, from Manhattan, performed the first movement of Viotti’s 22nd violin concerto in A minor. Matsumoto devoted her attention and effort to dynamic change, never repeating a motive the same way twice, largely the result of excellent bow control. Passages were tossed off with suitable velocity and drive, but Matsumoto did not let her reach exceed her grasp and remained firmly in control throughout.
After performance and the concert awards were presented, including a special Concert Festival bear to Renee Chieu as the concert’s youngest performer, a very happy audience departed the auditorium with perhaps a little more hope for the future than they had going in.
