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On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the Berkeley campus, the east coast performance group ALARM WILL SOUND gave an exceptional concert devoted to the music of Conlon Nancarrow. And I'm happy to say that despite the fine weather and steep ticket price, the hall was nearly 3/4 full, altho most of the crowd was over 40, probably even over 50.
AWS makes a habit of tackling difficult music, even transcribing music for performance that would seem otherwise unplayable. And they do it with enthusiasm.
The 20 or so young performers met at the Easman School of Music and formed AWS after graduation as a way to stay in touch. And we're glad they did stay in touch!
Nancarrow wrote little music for conventional instruments, producing over 50 "studies" for player piano. This afternoon AWS performed most of his chamber music (the String Quartet and Piece #1 for Small Ensemble (there is a #2)), and some transcriptions of player piano pieces.
The transcriptions were the most exciting. And AWS adds their own stage direction, which makes what could be heard as very dry music into something alive and fascinating.
They began with a transcription of Study #6, with players making their entrances from the audience and various stage doors. Breaking with standard proscenium convention, they moved around the stage while playing, forming tight groups, even crouching down and rolling on the floor.
Sounds silly, but it actually worked and turned the whole affair into fun. I think Conlon would have approved!
These are really great performers. And they play like a band! Finally a group is paying attention to how they look on stage. It really opened up another dimension to the music.
The program also included the Study 2A, Sonatina for Piano (marvelously played by John Orfe!), the Septet from 1940 (which Nancarrow couldn't get performed well in Mexico City because he could never get all seven performers at rehearsals at the same time), the Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra (one of his very last pieces transcribed from piano rolls), and the incredible Study 3A (a 5 minute boogie-woogie in every conceivable meter).
A wonderful performance! Standing ovations!
We need to have them out here more often!
