The Excellence of the 21st Century Consort

 

21^st Century Consort on April 29, 2023, presented “Echoes of Earth Day,” the last program of this season to a full house at Washington, DC’s St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in its glorious sanctuary with many colorfully grand stain glass windows. The Dresser goes on the record to assert this was an outstanding concert with excellent performances by accomplished musicians and a superb program selected by Artistic Director Christopher Kendall. Central to all the works is an expanded timbral palette.

 

A last-minute change of composition order featured first  Wang Jie’s “Sonata for the Other Shore” as played passionately by pianist Lisa Emenheiser. This was the American premiere. No doubt that composer Wang Jie who was present found Emenheiser’s performance of this difficult and theatrical composition meeting her expectations.

 

No less challenging was Juri Seo’s (also present for this concert) “Suite” played masterfully on the cello by Rachel Young. “Suite” in five movements was inspired by and subtly reminiscent of the unaccompanied cello suites of J. S. Bach. The work featured a scordatura tuning of the lowest string and extensive use of harmonics on all the strings.

 

Absolutely the Dresser’s favorite selection justly positioned to close the first half of the concert was “Whispers” by Sebastian Currier. In this work, percussion executed with dazzling precision by Lee Hinkle accented the equally precise performances of Lisa Emenheiser on piano (using the keys and internal strings of her instrument), Rachel Young on cello, and Sarah Frisof on flute. Not a minute went by without Hinkle’s subtle touch on snare drums, vibraphone, tambourine, and woodblocks.

 

“Danza de la Mariposa” by Valerie Coleman opened the second half of the program. This delicate and energic tone poem featured flautist Sarah Frisof.

 

George Crumb’s classic ecologically-themed work “Voix Balaenae” (Voice of the Whale) opens with a recording of whale calls and then moves into response first from flautist Sarah Frisof and then more formally in the segment known as “Sea-theme” by cellist Rachel Young and pianist Lisa Emenheiser. One unusual feature of this work is that the flautist and cellist alternately play antique cymbals. It was certainly this edgy piece by Crumb that motivated the Dresser to go out for this concert and it did not disappoint.

 

21^st Century Consort is an exceptionally notable group of musicians giving voice to contemporary classical music and deserves every bit of publicity it can garner. Washington DC is blessed to have such talent.