Hornist Sadie Glass

SCHUBERT "MIT SCHLAG" AT VOM FESTIVAL MORNING CONCERT

The spirit of 19th century Vienna was present July 29 on the final day of the Valley of the Moon Music Festival. The Festival in the second half of July glittered with innovative programming and the new, old sound of original instruments played by musicians who love music with historic instruments. The performances allowed audiences to hear 18th and 19th century compositions as they might have sounded in their own time.

Two hundred attended the first program in Sonoma’s Hanna Auditorium for the Festival’s ambitious last day, and were treated to coffee, apple strudel and two lovely Schubert compositions spanning his short career. First was the G Minor Sonatina, D. 408 from 1816, one of a set of three he composed at the age of 19. Festival Apprentices Christian De Luca, piano, and violinist Sara Bleile performed the piece beautifully, with buoyancy and feeling. Its four movements (allegro giusto; andante, menuetto; allegro vivace; allegro moderato) are dominated by syncopated rhythms, repeating motifs, and unison passages. Mr. De Luca played the Mendelssohn era 1841 piano with great skill and contagious joy, and in ensemble with Ms. Bleile he communicated the nuances of the music. Ms. Bleile’s violin tone was not full, but her phrasing was delicate and precise.

There was no intermission, but the piano was moved upstage and additional music stands and chairs were placed for Schubert’s famous Octet in F Major, D. 803. It is as complex and deeply thoughtful as the preceding G minor sonatina is innocent. Inspired by Beethoven’s 1799 Septet in E-flat Major, Schubert composed the Octet in March 1824, four years before his death.

The ensemble featured clarinetist Eric Hoeprich; Monica Huggett and Susannah Foster, violin; Liana Bérubé, viola; Tanya Tomkins, cello; Anthony Manzo, double bass; Sadie Glass, natural horn; and bassoonist Kate van Orden. The theme of the first movement, adagio – allegro – più allegro, is from Schubert’s song Der Wanderer. It began with sighs from the strings and a soulful, almost operatic duo between clarinet and violin. Then unfolded a spellbinding trading of instrumental themes and phrases. The waltz-like second movement in three-quarter time, adagio, features a four-note descending motif woven throughout. After many repeated phrases and rhythmic changes, the playing turned the music into a reverie. The third movement (scherzo – allegro vivace) pulsated with dotted rhythms and the manifold instruments were perfectly balanced in volume and blended wonderfully.

The fourth movement andante, un poco più mosso - più lento spotlighted Ms. Glass’ horn artistry, and Ms. van Orden’s bassoon playing furnished mellow harmonies, while Mr. Hoeprich carried the dominant themes and Ms. Huggett played virtuosic violin flourishes. Following the fifth movement, with its oft-repeating motif, came the riveting sixth and final section, andante molto. Four distinct tempi crowded into one movement to tell a story, beginning with low thunder-like rumbles from the cello and double bass, suggestive of a brewing storm. Short jabs of sound flashed from the two violins. But instead of a storm, the music suddenly, without transition, ceased its sounds of changing weather. As though a door had opened and shut, a party atmosphere prevailed, all gaiety and festivities.

Then the metaphoric door opened a final time, the music returning to the storm in progress. With this musical sleight of hand the Octet swirled to a close, and generated a standing ovation from many in the audience.