Antoine Tamestit NY Phil Debut with Gubaidulina’s Viola Concerto
With Mozart's Requiem - Odd pairing at the NY Phil
On May 24, I went to the NY Philharmonic to hear Mozart’s Requiem. I didn’t check the program before going so was surprised to see that Sofia Gubaidulina’s Viola Concerto was up first.
Antoine Tamestit played the concerto for Viola making his NY Phil debut.
Listen to the Viola Concerto here:
Sofia Gubaidulina was born in Chistopol and composed music under the critical ears of the Soviet Composers Union. If you listened to the entire piece above, you probably also heard a microtonality, due to a string quartet in the orchestra tuning their instruments a quarter-tone lower.
This is what ChatGBT said about the piece:
Gubaidulina's Viola Concerto showcases her mastery of blending traditional orchestral elements with contemporary techniques. The piece often features dense and complex harmonies, sometimes bordering on dissonance, which create a sense of tension and intrigue throughout.
One of the most striking aspects of the concerto is Gubaidulina's use of timbre and extended techniques. The viola is pushed to its limits, exploring its entire range and employing techniques like harmonics, glissandi, and unconventional bowing methods. These techniques not only highlight the virtuosity of the soloist but also contribute to the otherworldly and ethereal atmosphere of the piece.
Overall, Antoine Tamestit played with superb skill! I was in awe of the music and all the techniques he used as well as the orchestra. I wished the NY Phil had paired this music with something similar, instead of something traditional.
After the intermission, it was time for Mozart. Listen to the Requiem here: This version has 11 million views so must be good:
I asked ChatGBT to describe Mozart’s Requiem.
The Requiem is scored for four vocal soloists (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), mixed choir, and orchestra, and it is divided into several movements, following the traditional structure of the Requiem Mass. From the haunting opening of the Introitus (Requiem aeternam) to the powerful and dramatic Dies Irae, the work traverses a wide range of emotions, from profound sorrow to fervent supplication and eventual solace.
Mozart's genius shines through in the Requiem's exquisite melodies, rich harmonies, and masterful orchestration. The vocal writing is particularly noteworthy, with each soloist given opportunities to showcase their virtuosity and expressiveness, while the choral sections range from delicate and ethereal to grand and majestic.
Overall, yes! the Requiem was amazing, dramatic, and fulfilling. The singers were superb. I was mesmerized by the sopranos in the choir who almost danced with the music as they sang. They loved the music as much as i did.
a big shout-out to the soloists:
American soprano Amanda Forsythe
American mezzo-soprano Cecelia Hall
American tenor Nicholas Phan
American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel
Audience Rating:6 /10 - There was a sweet elderly couple on my left. He fell asleep for all of the violin concerto. After the intermission, he burped, hiccupped and snorted through all the beautiful music. I was tempted to hand him a kleenex but held myself back (he probably needed a dozen). The couple on my right were also sweet, but a little handsy throughout the performance. The man was also an armchair hog and his arms were often “over the line” in my chair space (like snuggle up to your girlfriend and let me have a little more space, please). The man behind me screamed a huge “woooo” thinking the Requiem was over, when there was still another movement. This was treated lightly by everyone around us who laughed.
References:
https://www.nyphil.org/concerts-tickets/2324/mozart-requiem/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_(Mozart)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Tamestit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofia_Gubaidulina