The pleasures and perils of electronic music

By Kurt Gottschalk, 31 March 2019

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“a dizzying collision of art song and processed cheese”

Reviewed at DiMenna Center for Classical Music: Mary Flagler Cary Hall, New York City on 28 March 2019

Soper, The Understanding of All Things

Soper, The Romance of the Rose (excerpts)

Diels, Bahnhof

Lucier, Wave Songs

Saariaho, Lonh

Kate Soper, Soprano

Charmaine Lee, Vocals

Charlotte Mundy, Soprano

Sam Pluta, Electronics

Devony Smith, Soprano

James Smith, Electric guitar

Laura Barger, Piano

Thomas Feng, Keyboard

Wet Ink Ensemble at Time:Spans festival

Kurt Gottschalk, 15th August

World premieres by ensemble members Alex Mincek and Kate Soper wear their intellects on their sleeves.

*****

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

Petr Popelka delivers a thrilling opening for Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 12th May

With Petr Popelka on the podium, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra brings a native feel and colorful exuberance to a cultural icon.

****1

Korngold and Mahler from Ray Chen, Vasily Petrenko and the RPO

Roy Westbrook, 12th May

Few violin concertos soar from the first bar as Erich Korngold’s does, especially as in Ray Chen's high-wire account at the Royal Albert Hall.

****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.

The pleasures and perils of electronic music at the New York Festival of Song