17°c Overcast
14°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
A solid performance with true Spanish flair
What is it about the music of Spain? Something about its spirit and sensuality seems to wheedle its way into listeners' senses, taking us along for a sensory musical ride.
The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Jesús Amigo presented an entire program of Spanish music Wednesday night. Indeed, the aptly named Amigo acted as our friendly tour guide to various colourful areas of his home country.
We began in the populous Andalusia, with Rodrigo's Dos Miniaturas Aandaluzas. Amigo, with sometimes only the raise of an eyebrow, urged rich sweeping phrases from the orchestra, making this passionate and compelling. The brisker and rhythmic Danza portion lacked tidiness in the violin section.
Does concertmaster Karl Stobbe have some Spanish blood? His substantial solo in Turina's Serenata couldn't have been more sensitively played, capturing the flavour of the music with a sparkling, pure tone. Lovely dynamic swells within the orchestra washed over the audience like gentle waves.
Spanish-Canadian composer Jose Evangelista was represented by his Cantares, based on 16 traditional Spanish songs. Quebec mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne made these her own, with her rich weighty voice and an underlying flame of energy that commands attention. Dressed in a flaming red skin tight low-backed dress, she needed only the red rose in her teeth to complete the picture.
The songs brought many moods to the stage, with the musicians sometimes producing a drone-like quality, reminiscent of period instruments. For the most part, the orchestra played along the same basic melody as Boulianne, with unison perfectly tuned -- no easy feat. With well-balanced vibrato, Boulianne finely honed each note, until freeing her voice in the final song, letting it burst into a joyful and assertive ode.
Albeniz's Cadiz from his Suite Espa±ola was really a song for orchestra. The execution of the familiar melody should have been more crisp and sharp. Instead, loose ends and stray notes marred the desired effect. The low strings provided a solid base, but their colleagues struggled.
Boulianne returned for Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo, complete with a sizzling reading of the popular Fire Dance in which the French horns got just a little carried away. Boulianne's mid-register notes were occasionally obscured by the orchestra, but her rhythmic emphasis and true Spanish flair made for a solid performance.
gwenda.nemerofsky@shaw.ca
Concert Review
From Spain to the Plain
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
Westminster United Church
April 25 Attendance: 610
3 1/2 out to five stars
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 27, 2012 D2
More Music
- Back to Top
- Return to Music
Poll
Most Popular Music
- Rolling Stones get satisfaction from long association with Canada
- Discount tickets lead a change in tours
- Eight Manitobans heading to finals in national music competition
- Jackson a 'freak' to AEG, trial told
- Country stars Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood coming to aid of fellow Oklahomans
- Manitoba musicians in national competition
- Rainbow Harmony Project sings with a blast
- Have you seen those mothers, baby, standing in the rock hall?
- Backstreet Boy Carter writes warts and all book
- Kid Rock, Rolling Stones and more on summer tours, scalping and secondary sources for tickets
- Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Music Awards, Justin Bieber, Miguel, Minaj perform
- Country music goes to pot
- Carrie Underwood throws a mean party at sold-out MTS Centre show
- Rolling Stones get satisfaction from long association with Canada
- Eight Manitobans heading to finals in national music competition
- Doc Walker headlines free entertainment series
- Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of rock group The Doors, dies at 74 from cancer
- Paul McCartney is kicking off the North American leg of his "Out There" tour in Orlando
- Rainbow Harmony Project sings with a blast
- Dynamic Duo
- Carrie Underwood throws a mean party at sold-out MTS Centre show
- Landslide of love for Fleetwood Mac
- Mötley Crüe rocks MTS Centre
- Effort afoot in court to sue Canadians for illegal downloads
- Eagles to land in Winnipeg
- Spider bite blamed for death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman of the heavy metal band Slayer
- Co-founder of BTO found not guilty on sex charges
- Underwood leaves fans blown away
- McCartney fans snapping up tickets to ride
- Fleetwood Mac fans never stop believing
- Rainbow Harmony Project sings with a blast
- Rolling Stones get satisfaction from long association with Canada
- Headstones return with fan-funded album, so disappointment 'not an option'
- Have you seen those mothers, baby, standing in the rock hall?
- Music conservatory dean ready to work, play hard
- Doc Walker headlines free entertainment series
- Kid Rock, Rolling Stones and more on summer tours, scalping and secondary sources for tickets
- Effort afoot in court to sue Canadians for illegal downloads
- Landslide of love for Fleetwood Mac
- Eagles to land in Winnipeg
- Winnipeg singer-songwriter celebrating release of second solo album
- Cohen makes fans' wait worth their while
- Carrie Underwood throws a mean party at sold-out MTS Centre show
- Review: Cohen still a musical, lyrical force
- Mötley Crüe rocks MTS Centre
- Beethoven again enthralls
- 'Driven' Streisand saluted for film work
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.