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MOSCOW-TRAINED CLARINETIST, AIDED BY PIANIST, COMMANDS THE AUDIENCE
By Carl Hriczak
Buffalo News
http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/music/concert-reviews/article632565.ece
Nov 14 2011
NY
Moscow-trained Narek Arutyunian, a 19-year-old clarinetist born in
Armenia, brought a modern twist Sunday during "A Gift to the Community"
free concert series in Kleihans Music Hall, performing but a single
work before the 20th century.
New York City-based Arutyunian went about his work in the Mary Seaton
Room of Kleinhans accompanied by pianist Steven Beck, and they had
a remarkable ability to command the audience.
Stepping back and forth and frequently raising his instrument toward
the ceiling, Arutyunian's body language was totally with the music. He
held his clarinet reminiscent of Benny Goodman at times, and Beck
was stoic at his instrument, with only his arms moving, a look of
supreme concentration on his face.
The highlight was the "Sonata for Solo Clarinet," by Edison Denisov.
This atonal work features microtonal shadings from non-Western scales.
Arutyunian bent notes with precision to slip between intervals and
deliver an evocative performance that was mysterious. This was a
performance that could easily be labeled ghostly, with its haunting
pianissimo passages.
As a duet, the most enjoyable work was the "Sonatina for Clarinet
and Piano," by Joseph Horovitz. Completely tonal with impressionist
harmony, this melodic work began with lovely arpeggiation in the piano
part. Beck played sensitively, yet precisely, also giving the many
staccato chords a warm touch. The second movement was autumnal, and
Arutyunian played with tear-inducing sensitivity. The extended major
seventh chords were highly suggestive of Debussy, and Beck played them
in the manner of a jazz ballad. This was stunningly beautiful music.
Other highlights included the danceable tango movement from the
"Four Souvenirs," by Paul Schoenfield, a work that also featured
frantic stride piano in the section titled "Tin Pan Alley."
Arutyunian played with panache the portamento slides between notes. In
the "Op. 184 sonata" of Francis Poulenc, the clarinet exhibited many
tonal colors, while the "Theme and Variations" of Jean Francaix had
chromatically tinged fireworks.
The sole 19th century work was the "Op. 48 Grand Duo Concertant"
of Carl Maria von Weber. Technically perfect, it showed mastery
over the standard repertoire. The second encore featured Arutyunian
disassembling his instrument to great comedic effect in "Always
Smaller," by Adolph Schreiner.
The preconcert event was a demonstration by school-age musicians from
the BRAVO chamber music workshop. Beginning with the "Minuet from the
K. 168" of Mozart, two excerpts from Beethoven works followed. Notable
were the debonair piano of Alexander Aylward in the warmly performed
Allegro con Brio from the trio Op. 1, No. 3, and the impassioned
violin of Teagan Faran in the furiously paced Allegro Molto of the Op.
59, No. 3 string quartet.
Concert Review
Buffalo Chamber Music Society's Gift to the Community
With clarinetist Narek Arutyunian and pianist Steven Beck. Sunday
afternoon in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall.
From: Baghdasarian
By Carl Hriczak
Buffalo News
http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/music/concert-reviews/article632565.ece
Nov 14 2011
NY
Moscow-trained Narek Arutyunian, a 19-year-old clarinetist born in
Armenia, brought a modern twist Sunday during "A Gift to the Community"
free concert series in Kleihans Music Hall, performing but a single
work before the 20th century.
New York City-based Arutyunian went about his work in the Mary Seaton
Room of Kleinhans accompanied by pianist Steven Beck, and they had
a remarkable ability to command the audience.
Stepping back and forth and frequently raising his instrument toward
the ceiling, Arutyunian's body language was totally with the music. He
held his clarinet reminiscent of Benny Goodman at times, and Beck
was stoic at his instrument, with only his arms moving, a look of
supreme concentration on his face.
The highlight was the "Sonata for Solo Clarinet," by Edison Denisov.
This atonal work features microtonal shadings from non-Western scales.
Arutyunian bent notes with precision to slip between intervals and
deliver an evocative performance that was mysterious. This was a
performance that could easily be labeled ghostly, with its haunting
pianissimo passages.
As a duet, the most enjoyable work was the "Sonatina for Clarinet
and Piano," by Joseph Horovitz. Completely tonal with impressionist
harmony, this melodic work began with lovely arpeggiation in the piano
part. Beck played sensitively, yet precisely, also giving the many
staccato chords a warm touch. The second movement was autumnal, and
Arutyunian played with tear-inducing sensitivity. The extended major
seventh chords were highly suggestive of Debussy, and Beck played them
in the manner of a jazz ballad. This was stunningly beautiful music.
Other highlights included the danceable tango movement from the
"Four Souvenirs," by Paul Schoenfield, a work that also featured
frantic stride piano in the section titled "Tin Pan Alley."
Arutyunian played with panache the portamento slides between notes. In
the "Op. 184 sonata" of Francis Poulenc, the clarinet exhibited many
tonal colors, while the "Theme and Variations" of Jean Francaix had
chromatically tinged fireworks.
The sole 19th century work was the "Op. 48 Grand Duo Concertant"
of Carl Maria von Weber. Technically perfect, it showed mastery
over the standard repertoire. The second encore featured Arutyunian
disassembling his instrument to great comedic effect in "Always
Smaller," by Adolph Schreiner.
The preconcert event was a demonstration by school-age musicians from
the BRAVO chamber music workshop. Beginning with the "Minuet from the
K. 168" of Mozart, two excerpts from Beethoven works followed. Notable
were the debonair piano of Alexander Aylward in the warmly performed
Allegro con Brio from the trio Op. 1, No. 3, and the impassioned
violin of Teagan Faran in the furiously paced Allegro Molto of the Op.
59, No. 3 string quartet.
Concert Review
Buffalo Chamber Music Society's Gift to the Community
With clarinetist Narek Arutyunian and pianist Steven Beck. Sunday
afternoon in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall.
From: Baghdasarian