Music from Czech Republic and America with the Louisiana Sinfonietta and Soloists

On October 12, 2006 the Louisiana Sinfonietta performed in the Baton Rouge Gallery accompanied by guest musicians Zdenka Vaculicova and Theofilos Sotiriades. The small, confined hall in which the orchestra performed gave the performance a more personal atmosphere for the audience and added greatly to the experience. The Louisiana Sinfonietta presented six beautiful and intriguing pieces composed by artists from the Czech Republic and the United States. The event also featured the intense and moving artwork of guest artist Vaclav Vaculovic.

Opening the concert was Anton Dvorak’s Notturno for String Orchestra, Op. 40. This light, gentle piece provided an excellent beginning to the concert. Opening with a restful melody that was both soothing and intriguing, the piece exuded the atmosphere of a moonlit evening. As the piece continued, it gracefully transitioned into an elegant dance-like movement that had a charming, upbeat melody. Concluding with a return to the peaceful feel of its opening measures, Dvorak’s Notturno for String Orchestra, Op. 40 ended smoothly and began an exceptional concert.

Next, Peter Graham’s Brittle Relations was performed featuring solo violinist Zdenka Vaculovicova. The juxtaposition of the solo violin against the string orchestra was beautifully performed and Graham’s skill in building and relieving tension between the two was exhibited in this piece. The solo violin added exquisite harmony and dissonance to the underlying movement of the string orchestra.

Continuing the concert was Theodore Wiprud’s Grail: after the painting of Vaclav Vaculovic. A piece of depth and pulse, Wiprud’s Grail is powerful and moody. Wiprud’s brooding melody is exquisitely echoed throughout the voices of the string orchestra giving his audience a sense of intensity and movement. This piece effectively embodied the depth and energy of the art created by Vaclav Vaculovic displayed in the Baton Rouge Gallery during the concert.

Karel Husa’s Four Little Pieces for String Orchestra is a varied collection of lively, gentle, soothing, and powerful pieces. Unifying the four pieces are imitation, repetition, and a common melodic theme. Husa’s simple, yet rich, energetic, and entertaining pieces were performed beautifully by the Louisiana Sinfonietta.

Following the performance of Four Little Pieces for String Orchestra was a brief intermission in which guests were given the opportunity to view the artwork of Vaclac Vaculovic. In stark contrast with the white walls of the Baton Rouge Gallery, Vaculovic’s dark, richly textured pieces were striking. Vivid and ominous, his works illustrated the turmoil and conflict of life and the human condition. With a color palette consisting of brown, black, red and occasionally green, the paintings displayed were earthy and somber. Half-hidden figures and sinister undertones lend Vaculovic’s work an unsettling and fascinating beauty. Exquisite, yet disturbing, Vaculovic’s paintings provided a strong and stunning background for the performance.

The premiere of Dinos Constantinides’ Landscape III began the second half of the concert. The excellent solo saxophone performance of guest musician Theofilos Sotiriades added variety and intensity to the performance of the string orchestra. In Landscape III, Constantinides uses the string orchestra to paint a strong, picturesque landscape and employs the saxophone to convey the emotions of a lonely traveler upon seeing such a place and also the challenge and wonder of his journey through it. Beautifully played, Landscape III premiered to an appreciative audience.

Idyll for String Orchestra by Leos Janacek was the last piece of the concert. Idyll for String Orchestra begins beautifully and elegantly with an almost dance-like feel. It is energetic and light. A pleasant, uplifting piece, Janacek’s Idyll for String Orchestra ended the concert with energy and vitality, bringing the event to its close.

In summary, the Louisiana Sinfonietta’s performance on October 12, 2006, was a beautiful and unique blend of modern and traditional pieces of music for string orchestra. Highlighted by the performances of guest soloists Zdenka Vaculovicova and Theofilos Sotiriades, the Louisiana Sinfonietta presented remarkable works including the world premiere of Dinos Constantinides’ Landscape III. Also presented were the dramatic and powerful paintings of artist Vaclav Vaculovic.

Mary Loftus