“Full Circle,” April 25, 2009
David Feltner and the COB presented Full Circle on April 25, bringing our season to a close. Highlights of this intriguing concert included an appealing work by the American composer Kenji Bunch, and a virtuoso performance by oboist Laura Ahlbeck in Penderecki’s fascinating and compelling Capriccio. Also on the program: Copland’s sublime Nonet and Bach’s joyous Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.
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Interview: Laura Ahlback
Laura Ahlbeck was the oboe soloist in Penderecki’s Capriccio at the COB’s April 25 concert. David Feltner took some time after a recent rehearsal to ask her some questions about the piece.
David Feltner: So, tell me your impressions of this music…
Laura Ahlbeck: Well, although it’s a short piece, only about 6 or 7 minutes, it is definitely one of the most difficult pieces I’ve ever done.
Wow, coming from an oboist who played at the Met for years and plays regularly with American Symphony Orchestra and BSO, that’s quite a statement. What makes it so hard?
For one thing, he uses a lot of unusual techniques, such as flutter tongue. Unlike the flute, you can’t flutter in the front, because the reed is in the way….
Read the rest of the interview >>
What people are saying…
“I’ve admired David Feltner as a violist, and I’ve heard good things about the group he founded, the Chamber Orchestra of Boston. I finally got to hear it, and the concert was a knockout.” -Lloyd Schwartz, Boston Phoenix
“It was a delightful evening with superb playing from every musician. Feltner shaped each phrase with a keen sense of musical and emotional depth. He lived and breathed the music. His charismatic conducting had assurance, precision, elegance and grace in equal measure.” - Peter Laki, The Cleveland Orchestra