The Orion Ensemble continued their 33rd season in a charming way at Pianoforte Studios in the South Loop on Monday night. Comprised of the quartet formed by clarinetist Katheryne Pirtle, pianist Diana Schmück, violinist Florentina Ramniceanu, and cellist Judy Stone, this ensemble explores the wide repertoire of classical music. As was the case on Monday, they are usually joined by guest violist Stephen Boe.
The program featured classical music chestnuts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johannes Brahms. It also included a survey of music by a composer from whom they’d commissioned original works, Sebastian Hyudts, who was present.
With a clarinetist in their midst, Orion performances always include works featuring that instrument, which are not very prevalent in the repertoire. One of the mainstream composers who did write chamber music for the clarinet is Mozart, and the concert opened with his Kegelstatt Trio in E-flat Major, K. 498 for piano, clarinet, and viola.
This work embodies Mozart’s charm and Pirtle, Schmück, and Boe laid this out very well. Schmück was especially precise in her playing, whether it was runs, backing triads, or chords. Pirtle’s clarinet nicely soared over the sound when it had the lead and contributed a warm sound in a supporting role. Boe also sounded clean when he had the leading role, but was a bit too quiet when he was playing a supporting role.
The Kegelstatt’s most intense moments occur in the middle of the minuet. Here the Orion’s ensemble interactions and crispness were on full display. Even if there were some minor balance issues, the playing was note perfect, and absolutely lovely.
The Orion Ensemble has researched the repertoire to find chamber music with clarinet, and they have also broadened it by commissioning new music. Sebastian Huydts is one composer to whom they have frequently turned. On Monday they highlighted his music with several excerpts of longer pieces. In some cases, Huydts transcribed his music for their ensemble.
Up first were a couple of pieces from Huydt’s work for solo piano, Delicias De Blancanieves (Snow White’s Delight) Op. 29. Schmück started with “Conoci a un desconocido” (“I Met a Stranger”), which she played smoothly through some very delicate, disjointed passages. In “El silvestre (The Courageous One)” there were lots or rills and quick chords that subtly shifted into and out of atonality. It had a quixotic feel.
Huydts adapted another piece from this opus for clarinet and string trio. Here Pirtle, Ramniceanu, Boe, and Stone really gelled.
All five of players took the stage for two movements of a quintet that Orion Ensemble had commissioned from Huydts. The first, “Tranquillo,” called for lengthy melodic passages. Cellist Stone had very playful facial expressions during the cello passage. The second, “Ben Mercato” was march like, with frenetic, quick notes.
After intermission, the quartet of Schmück, Ramniceanu, Boe, and Stone took the stage for one of the greatest works by Brahms, Piano Quartet in g-minor, Op. 25. This work opens with an eerie melody in a minor key and ends the major key. Immediately afterward the piano breaks into rapid melodic swirls with sharp chords backed up by the strings. The ensemble captured the growing intensity very well.
They were especially effective in the opening movement’s secondary theme in the sunny D-Major. Boe magically played through the main melody, backed up by Stone and Schmück, who was playing chords on the piano. Ramiceanu soon added color on her violin. This is one of my favorite passages in all of Brahms, and the Orion Ensemble played it great.
Although there were several instances of excellence throughout, it was not perfect. Schmück was sometimes hard to hear, and she seemed to get ahead of herself at times. There were also a few squeaks from Ramniceanu’s violin. The intonation was generally good, but the sound sometimes got muddy. Their setup on stage was a bit weird with Ramniceanue sitting downstage from the other strings. Boe was obscured.
This concert will be repeated this Sunday at Nichols Hall in Evanston. September 28, 7:30 pm.
The Orion Ensemble’s second concert of the season will include music by Haydn, Glass, and Bliss on October 26, 27, and November 2 in Aurora, Chicago, and Evanston. For more information, click here.
