Goldstar

• Rated 4.0
• Written on May 20 2009

I could not have enjoyed a performance more. There was unabounded enthusiasm among the players, coupled with flawless dexterity. I could hear each part as distinct voices. The first violins were a shimmering silver, the 2nd violins were a warm gold, the violas were burnished bronze and the cellos evoked all of these colors with a mellowness that penetrated your heart. And the bass scampered like a kitten over the rapid rhythms. The familiar music was suddenly new and the new music seemed very natural. Viva Nadja and her energized troupe.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on May 20 2009

heard Gidon Kremer's group do Hermann's music from the film "Psycho" a few years back. New Century's performance was much more nuanced, dynamic, driven and... well, psycho.

listening to their "Eine Kleine Nacht Musik" made me feel i'd never really heard the piece before.

in their performances, the power and balance of each string section blows me over. what a pleasure to hear the internal voicing of the music as the composers surely intended.

Ms. Djokic's numerous cello solos were superb and deeply satisfying. Of course, every member of this ensemble plays at the highest level.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on May 21 2009

This was my first New Century Chamber Orchestra concert. Though I have heard glowing comments about their performances, and the thoughtful/fresh program choices by Music Director Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, I was a bit skeptical -- Eine Kleine Nacht? Psycho??!

What a wonderful surprise that the selections, and the interpretations, turned out to be so thoroughly inspired, moving and ultimately satisfying, starting with the consistently fresh approach to Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. And, I really enjoyed being able to hear the commissioned/premiere work by Clarice Assad. Every player was first-rate, coming together as a world-class whole.

I enjoyed the lack of easy sentimentality throughout; and, there were no forced interpretations to make the individual pieces fit artificially into the Night/Dream theme.

The program notes for each piece added to my connections to the music.

My one quibble: the final selection, Strauss' Der Fledermaus, is not one I enjoy. I found the selection a flimsy let-down after this gem of a program. Still, as a friend remarked, “consider it a bon-bon to end the program and the season.” And, for what it was, it was superb. These are not players who "phone it in." I look forward to next season.