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MSU's Robert Aldridge goes left coast
David Singer in LalalandSaturday, May 7, 2005
By A. Michael Noll
Dr. Noll is a Professor of Communications at the Annenberg School for Communication
at University of Southern California, who also does researh at Columbia University. - Ed.Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Jeffrey Kahane (music director and conductor); David Singer (clarinet); Richard Todd (horn). Aldridge: Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra; Richard Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major; Haydn: Symphony No. 92 in G major. Alex Theatre, Glendale, CA.
Clarinetist David Singer and composer Robert Aldridge are both on the faculty of the Music Department at Montclair State University - thus the New Jersey connection of this review - and it was a pleasant surprise to hear them as part of a Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) concert at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.
But "pleasant" is not the appropriate description of this concert. "Spectacular" is far more descriptive of Singer's virtuosity and of Aldridge's concerto.
The concerto has a fast and furious orchestral opening that is soon joined by haunting melodies from the clarinet.
The slower second movement begins in a tranquil vein, which is interrupted by a cabaret-like section, reminiscent of Kurt Weill's music. A sudden mood change returns to the tranquility of the opening.
The last movement is quite raucous, with exciting interplay between Singer and LACO's principal timpanist, Thomas Raney. All the musicians were clearly quite "with it," under the precise and enthusiastic direction of Mr. Kahane.
The Aldridge concerto certainly belongs in the stratosphere of clarinet concerti along with works by such composers as Copland, Finzi, Mozart, and Weber. Aldridge's composition is a tour de force that was thrillingly performed by Singer. The audience at the Alex Theatre in Glendale enthusiastically and deservedly called Singer, Aldridge, and Kahane back for a number of bows.
Aldridge composed the clarinet concert in 2004 for Singer with a co-commission from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (of which Singer is a member) and the LACO. This was the West Coast premier of the concerto.
The first half of the concert consisted of the Aldridge Clarinet Concerto and Strauss's Horn Concerto no. 2. Although it was hard to follow the spectacular combination of Singer and Aldridge, LACO's principal horn player Richard Todd smoothly and flawlessly treated the audience to the intricacies of the Strauss work. The concert ended with a sparkling interpretation of Haydn's "Oxford" Symphony.
The concert was repeated the following evening at UCLA's Royce Hall, which has a much harsher acoustic than the warmth found in the Alex. All this was exciting programming, yet the audience attendance was somewhat disappointing at both venues. That said, the LACO is attracting a younger audience, which bodes well for its future.
The LACO has clearly regained its place as one of our very best chamber ensembles. Jeffrey Kahane who took over its leadership in 1997 is responsible for this rescue and has superbly exerted his influence on the players, who have responded in a warmly symbiotic relationship.