Concert Review: Sphinx orchestra and Harlem Quartet make beautiful music at GPAC
A partnership between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Germantown Performing Arts Centre brought forth a thrilling performance by young musicians who are, happily, the future of classical music.
Tuesday's concert at GPAC by the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra and the Harlem Quartet was a gratifying mix of music from Mozart to Marsalis, deftly led by maestro Chelsea Tipton II.
Harlem Quartet
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The groups are part of the Sphinx Organization, a group formed in 1996 to provide increased diversity in the classical music world. Its educational programs and competitions have been providing black and Latino musicians opportunities to pursue and excel in their careers.
The payoff Tuesday night was evident from the start: They had us at the National Anthem. Violinists Elena Urioste and Melissa White performed a duet of "The Star Spangled Banner" that was bold, delicate, innovative, vigorous and a complete delight.
By moving right into Mozart's Divertimento in D Major, the orchestra showed its mastery of the traditional, performing with excellent balance and tone.
Urioste did solo work on Piazzolla's Invierno Porteno, a piece inspired by Vivaldi's Winter segment of The Four Seasons. Just a few weeks ago, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg performed the piece with the MSO with her trademark edgy, envelope-pushing style. Urioste's approach was more traditional but no less thrilling for its beauty and precision.
In fact, precision is a distinctive characteristic of Sphinx and the Harlem Quartet. The orchestra's take on George Walker's Lyric for Strings was exquisitely done as was the "Fuga" from Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9 for String Orchestra.
The Quartet did a stunning performance of Wynton Marsalis' "Hellbound Highball" from String Quartet No. 1 (At the Octoroon Balls). A richly textured, brilliant composition that in its railroad theme roared past the Orange Blossom Special, the quartet was expressive and swinging -- and it was evident they were having loads of fun.
The evening's finale was a combined effort in Michael Abels' Delights and Dances for String Quartet and Orchestra. Echoing the Americana themes of Copland, the piece was a collection of blues and bluegrass, hoedowns and Latin rhythms -- in all a jazzily flavored classical piece that showed off the considerable talents of the musicians.
If there was one down side to the evening, it was that so few were in attendance. Not a quarter of the hall was occupied and that was an opportunity missed by lovers of classical and jazz, along with anyone who wants to get a glimpse of tomorrow's stars.
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