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.

*****

Turangalîla underwhelms at the Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Roy Westbrook, 23rd April

Serious music ill-matched by filmic limitations as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tackles Messiaen’s epic “symphony” as part of the Southbank’s cross-genre festival.

**111

Immersive OAE submerged at Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Mark Valencia, 22nd April

The road to immersion is paved with modish deflections as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performs 20th-century English string music.

**111

A dream of a Gerontius from Pappano, the LSO and Chorus

Roy Westbrook, 21st April

Giving their 27th performance of the oratorio, the London Symphony Chorus excel as angelic angels and demonic demons.

****1

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

Nicholas McGegan brings delicacy and elegance to Mendelssohn

Erica Miner, 18th April

The Seattle Symphony offers an enchanting evening immersed in the joy and brilliance of both the young and the mature genius of Felix Mendelssohn.

****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