Rolls heralded fine debut By Ruth O. Bingham
Special to the Star-BulletinPROGRAMMING a concert is an art all its own, one that few concertgoers appreciate. Yesterday's sold-out concert by the Honolulu Symphony mixed young and old: music hundreds of years old seemed as fresh and young as the teen-aged violinist and youthful conductor, who presented the music with maturity to match.
Perhaps the art of programming also includes inside jokes. There is a touch of irony in a timpanist making his Masterworks conducting debut with Haydn's Drum Roll Symphony. Conductor Stuart Chafetz's loyalties were audible: he gave the timpanist ample latitude on those famous rolls.
Chafetz's conducting is involved and expressive without being effusive. He seems to have a good rapport with the orchestra, possibly a result of having played with them for years before stepping onto the podium. His interpretations are energetic, clean and aurally transparent, making it easy to follow contrapuntal lines.
The concert opened with six dances from the middle 1500s, composed by Tieleman Susato and arranged for brass choir and percussion. These festive Renaissance dances highlighted the ensemble's full, well-balanced blend. That blend was particularly fine in the fourth dance, when trombones supported a divided French horn solo.
Chafetz performed Haydn's Drum Roll Symphony with an orchestra of just under 50, even though it was composed for an orchestra of about 70. "Musical authenticity" aside, the ensemble's size suited the hall.
The evening's high point arrived with Yoon Kwon's performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons concerto on her Guarneri violin. Although only 18, her long, languorous melodies sang with a maturity that belied her age. Her "summer storm" truly raged. If one were to quibble, one could find her interpretation of drunkenness not quite drunk enough, but she probably lacks much experience with it.
The string orchestra just over 20 was intimate enough to interact closely with Kwon, offering full forte support without overpowering her.
Chafetz emphasized the work's programmatic nature by adding subtle lighting effects and by inviting Richard Chamberlain to read Vivaldi's accompanying sonnets before each movement. Chamberlain's resonant, well modulated voice was miked too loud but provided an effective introduction to each season. In fact, the visual added a surprising amount to the music; listening to a recording cannot compare.
Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is practically a dictionary of musical depictions: thunder rumbles, rain patters, lightening flashes, birds sing and flurries fly. Kwon excelled in these imitations. Her turtledove actually cooed and her storms crackled with energy. Kwon brings such joy!
Ruth O. Bingham has a Ph.D. in musicology from Cornell University, is a free-lance writer and teaches part-time at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
What: Vivaldi: "The Four Seasons" featuring violinist Yoon Kwon
Stuart Chafetz has been named the Honolulu Symphony's assistant conductor through September 1999. Meet symphony's new assistant conductor
In his ninth year as principal timpanist with the symphony, Chafetz made his conducting debut yesterday with Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" featuring guest violinist Yoon Kwon. This was Chafetz' first classical concert with the Symphony. Chafetz will conduct again tomorrow.
Chafetz, who has guest conducted several Pops series and youth concerts with the Honolulu Symphony, will remain as principal timpanist of the orchestra. Assistant principal timpanist Steve Dinion will replace Chafetz as principal timpanist when he conducts.
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