St Luke's Chamber Ensemble finds the joy in Julius Eastman

St Luke's Chamber Ensemble

Catherine Brookman and the St Luke's Chamber Ensemble

By Kurt Gottschalk, 26 June 2023

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“engulfed in dizzying dissonances”

Reviewed at DiMenna Center for Classical Music: Mary Flagler Cary Hall, New York City on 22 June 2023

Eastman, Gay Guerrilla

Eastman, Stay On It

St Luke's Chamber Ensemble

Catherine Brookman, Vocals

Kinan Azmeh offers a sampling of delights with St Luke’s

No’a L. bat Miri, 15th April

As part of St Luke’s ‘Visionary Sounds’ series, Kinan Azmeh joined the chamber ensemble to play a variety of his own compositions.

****1

Minimalism with a beating heart: Julius Eastman's Femenine

Kurt Gottschalk, 4th February

The spirit of the St Luke's Chamber Ensemble makes for a successful performance of Julius Eastman's 1974 composition Femenine.

****1

An uneven mix with animation by the St Luke’s Chamber Ensemble

Kurt Gottschalk, 16th March

A program of works for soloists and small ensembles proves aurally and visually taxing, emotionally and intellectually exhausting, all in fairly enticing ways.

***11

Hilary Hahn’s French odyssey of refinement and fire in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 14th May

Two technical mishaps punctuate the evening, but Hilary Hahn maintains poise throughout a French programme crowned by a finely judged, deeply expressive performance of Fauré.

****1

Frank Dupree's Liverpool debut has the audience crying out for more

Glyn Mon Hughes, 14th May

A concert celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA saw Liverpool audiences treated to a sumptuous Copland as well as a symphony as well as a barn-storming performance of Gershwin and Duke Ellington, performed by Frank Dupree who was making his debut with the RLPO.

*****

Energetic Currentzis and Utopia at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 12th May

From Berg’s crystalline intimacy to Dionysian Mahler, Teodor Currentzis and Utopia defy orchestral tradition with standing musicians, spatial acoustics and an emotional intensity that breathes new life into the concert life.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

St Luke's Chamber Ensemble finds the joy in Julius Eastman... and answers it with respect