University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Players
| Octet Partita op. 78 | Franz Krommer |
| Dixtuor | George Enescu |
| Interval/Intermission | |
| Suite in D | Arthur Bird |
| The Nutcracker | Peter I. Tchaikovsky |
Concert Review
Rodney Winther is a superb musician and technician, and he has fashioned the chamber ensemble of Cincinnati into a responsive and sensitive group of the highest calibre. His technical equipment reminds me of conductors of the calibre of Maazel or Giulini — there is apparently nothing that he cannot demonstrate with a flick of the wrist or twitch of the torso — yet I find myself often unmoved by the results. Like so many great conductors with super techniques, his players follow slavishly. I long to hear some originality in phrasing, rubato which does the opposite of what we expect, or an oboist or clarinetist who might say in a repeated passage, “Hey, Rodney, I think it would be fun to try it this way.”
I guess I am incredibly jealous of his technical accomplishment and of the players in his group, but as with many of the great ensembles and conductors in the United States, I long for democracy, for freedom, perhaps for some bad manners. I remember Simon Rattle bringing the Mozart Gran Partita to a BASBWE Conference with his City of Birmingham Wind. It was glorious music making, absolutely over the top; permissiveness ruled OK — I remember too the late Dame Thea King being furious with the quite unstylish and unclassical broadcast. I gather in the tour of South America that followed, the Mozart became more and more self-indulgent, sensuous and amusing as he let the players express themselves. At the Proms when they returned, good taste prevailed again but tempered with freedom of expression. It is a nice balance, freedom and control, and the Cincinnati group and the conductors have the expertise to explore much further stylistically. This is mere cavilling and quibbling; the group was generous with time and expertise, giving us four sessions in all. Throughout their concert, their repertoire programme, their session with Bastiaan Blomhert, and a concert of lunchtime chamber music, they presented music-making of the highest calibre, which for me just missed perfection. Don’t miss the next WASBE Conference in 2009 when they will be our hosts.
©2007 WASBE and/or the contributing author/photographer