In the town that I call home there is the local theatre and center for the performing arts, the Clemens Center, that underwent a remarkable renovation a few years back and emerged as a spectacular and beautiful showcase. It has real presence as you sit and take in the restored mural above the stage or admire the intricate carvings that form a frame around stage opening.
Just a beautiful facility. A gem.
Unfortunately, it is not always as well attended as one might hope, especially for events that are quite remarkable. Seeing so few people come out makes me wonder if we deserve such a beautiful theatre or if our area will soon lose the ability to attract world-class musicians.
Last night, there was a performance by world-renowned and Grammy nominated violinist Robert McDuffie accompanied by the Venice Baroque Orchestra. They were performing The Seasons Project which featured, in the first half of the show, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and, in the second half, modern composer Phillip Glass’ composition The American Four Seasons. This new piece was written specifically for McDuffie and is inspirationally derived from Vivaldi’s seminal work.
Let me point out that I know little of classical music and cannot speak with any degree of specificity about any piece of music. I can only tell you what I like. Like art, all you need to know is your reaction to it.
The Vivaldi was wonderful. The sound of McDuffie and the 18 musicians of the Venice Baroque Orchestra played the well known work with passion and grace. There is something quite amazing in the power of an acoustic orchestra and I found myself wondering what it must feel like to be one of those violinists when they are fully immersed in such a piece, with the sound of the other instruments all around them in unison. Or how this piece must have stunned audiences in 1725. Truly powerful.
I really didn’t know what to expect for the second half. I had heard Glass’s work before and had found it always interesting, though not always pleasing to my ear. I can’t fully describe the piece but I will say that as it grew I began to realize I was witnessing something quite remarkable, both in the compostion and in McDuffie’s performance. His emotional rendering propelled the piece forward and as it climaxed all the pieces of the composition seemed to suddenly come together as a whole, giving the whole thing an impact that I hadn’t seen coming. I know that is hardly descriptive in musical terms but I can do no better.
It was breathtaking to see an original piece played with such passion.
And for a theatre that was perhaps filled to one third its capacity.
The elation of the show was tempered for me by the size of the crowd and thr realization that soon such shows would no longer be brought to our area for lack of an audience. As I looked over the audience last night, I saw a tremendous amount of gray and white hair. I was among the younger set there and I am no longer young. We, as an area, do not have a large number of young professionals that might take in such a show in larger metropolitan areas. Over the years, we have lost many of our brightest and best to larger cities due the limited prospects caused by the financial hardship that seems to have a permanent home in this area. The recession that swept the country over the last few years has been in these parts for about thirty years.
I guess that’s just the way things go. For now, I am pleased to have witnessed something special and will put aside the fact that it may not be a possibility here soon. If McDuffie is coming to a city near you with this tour, take advantage of the opportunity.
Here’s a small taste of the music…
Redtree Times 
I’ve never heard – or heard of – the Glass piece, but Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has been a favorite for decades.
To hear magnificent music in a beautiful setting is an experience beyond words. One of my winter pleasures is attending the Houston Bach Society’s free concerts at a local Lutheran church.
To say “local church” doesn’t quite describe the reality. When the decision was made to expand, such folks as architect Philip Johnson were involved. The congregation brought in acoustical experts as well as the architects and planned a space that would showcase Baroque and liturgical music as authentically as possible.
When it came time to replace the organ, they went one step farther, building an instrument specifically to play the works of Bach. The Noack organ, in its space, is perfect.
You can see a photo and read as much information as you like here.
I’ve heard other early music concerts at the church, including Vivaldi, but the only video I could find that gives you a sense of what it’s like features the organ. I hope your Clemens Center continues to be as well supported as this congregation, despite current economic hardships.
By the way – the organist, Claudia Dumschat, is choirmaster and organist at The Church of the Transfiguration in Manhattan.
What a beautiful organ!
Some families can’t afford a couple of $30 tickets. Student discounts could have filled some of those empty seats (Elmira College has over 1,000 undergraduates) at no additional cost to the Clemens Center.
The Seasons Project will be at the University of Richmond next week:
Adult: $36 UR Employee: $28
Senior: $34 UR Student: $8
Child: $18
You’ll find the upcoming schedule here:
http://www.robertmcduffie.com/
And here’s a video about The American Four Seasons, with commentary by Robert McDuffie:
I understand that many families can’t afford tickets for such events and that this may not be the music of choice for many folks. And unless the event is sponsored by the college (as is the Univ. of Ricmond show you mentioned ) many EC students wouldn’t venture off campus for such a show.
I was mainly decrying the lack of those who do have the means and the interest who simply don’t show up for such things. But even saying that, I’m not blaming anyone for the lack of an audience here. It’s a purely subjective choice. If anything, I’m a little sad that I can see a point where such things no longer will be available here. That loss of exposure to the transcendent power of such music would be a shame to lose.