Ravishing melodies contrast with energetic intensity

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6: The Schubert Ensemble of London gave an exceptional programme on Friday at City Hall Theatre.  

From start to finish, the large audience was enthralled by music making on the highest level of excellence.

The evening featured three works — first, a multi-movement contemporary piece, commissioned by the ensemble, followed by familiar and much-loved music from the Romantic period by Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert.

Beginning a programme with a contemporary work often presents a challenge to listeners as well as to the performers. In too many instances, audiences soon become restless when confronted with the absence of a tonal centre and a lack of melodic material, to say nothing of some modern works which seem to specialize in ear-splitting dissonance.

Such was not the case with the Schubert Ensemble’s opener, American Rounds by the highly gifted English composer, Martin Butler, who was trained in both the UK and in the USA.

Born in 1960 and currently a professor of music at the University of Sussex, Mr Butler seems to compose from a deep wellspring of creative inventiveness coupled with melodic and rhythmic assurance.

From the first notes of his work, it was evident that this composer has something special to say. In an era in which we have been bombarded by cacophony and drivel from many “academic” composers, Mr Butler’s work stands out in its intrinsic  musicality and ability to communicate meaningful musical thoughts to a widely diverse audience.

Ravishingly beautiful melodies were contrasted with passages of energetic intensity. In the last movement, which began with a moto perpetuo toccata, the instrumental challenges were formidable, but all were deftly handled by  the artists.

Butler’s work ended in a haunting pianissimo which lingered as the audience savored the moment, enraptured.

In the familiar and much-loved Schumann work and the Trout Quintet of Schubert, a consistent feature was the remarkable blend and subtlety in the Ensemble’s playing. Particularly outstanding throughout the entire programme was the highly polished pianism of William Howard.

The Bermuda Festival is to be commended on its selection of such a fine group of musicians as the Schubert Ensemble in this year’s schedule of events.