Bachtrack: Stories and echoes underscore the power of the orchestra on opening night of Ostrava Days
Publikováno: 30.8.2023
"The biennial Ostrava Days festival generally only gets its wings after the first few days of programming. This year's edition included outdoor performances in public thoroughfares, a 12-hour marathon of experimental electronics and a concert of new compositions for an 85-year old, one-of-a-kind, retuned harmonium, all before the opening night of the festival 's lifeblood contemporary orchestral music.
The opening night, indeed, felt like an exercise in the power of an orchestra. The Ostrava New Orchestra, comprised of some 60 musicians from 16 countries, was convened for the nine-day festival in no small part from graduates of the concomitant Institute. Rolling percussion and a dramatic cello line (played by Andrej Gál, one of only two soloists on the first night program) set Johannes Kalitzke's 2016 Story Teller. Here was the gravitas of Shostakovich with a bit of the playfulness of Kagel, making for an unusual and engaging contrast. Electronic augmentations and percussive playing of brass instruments, even Gál's finesse and alacrity, all seemed to exist in the margins. The text was in the powerful themes given to reeds and strings. Iannis Xenakis' 1983 Shaar followed in strong contrast with bold, unison lines (or “syllables”, according to the composer). It was almost blocky and here the large, glass and concrete room afforded a nice, subtle resonance."
Kurt Gottschalk, Bachtrack | read the full review here >>>
