News

The second concert of Friday morning featured the New Century Ensemble, the University of Oklahoma’s new music group directed by Christina Jennings. First, Kenneth Fuchs conducted his own composition, Quiet on the Land, a lyrical and pastoral work for flute (Jennings), oboe (Sally Faulconer), clarinet (Emily Wasson), viola (Matthew Dane) and cello (Gregory Sauer). This attractive piece was especially notable for the rich solo work of oboist Faulconer.

Two compositions for solo woodwind and electronics demonstrated contrasting approaches to the medium. Jeff Herriot’s Design for Bass Clarinet and Electronics, performed by Emily Wasson, relied almost exclusively on single tones, emerging from niente and receding back in combination with similar patterns in the electronics. The result was a subtle study of shifting colors. Mike McFerron’s Stationary Fronts started aggressively and never let up; here Jennings bravely pit her flute against rumbling electronic bass lines, synthesized percussion and altered flute samples. McFerron’s work gives life to the electronic as accompaniment, partner and contender.

Paradigm Shift, by Arthur Gottschalk, gave two violists (Dane and Arvilla Blochowiak) the opportunity to display their considerable skill in a daring caprice. A variety of technical passages executed in tandem at high speed marked this lively work.

Lastly, cellist Sauer joined pianist Christopher Hahn and percussionist Ricardo Souza in a fine performance of Jason Bahr’s cryptic omens…ritual echoes. Using a colorful palette of percussive effects, Bahr presented a series of dramatic and mysterious dialogues between the players.

– Guy Vollen