By Joanna McQuillan Weeks
Assistant features editor
July 12, 2008 6:00 AM
Who needs Tanglewood?
While that might be a bit of hyperbole, it's easy to forgo the drive to Lenox when music lovers can hear concerts as fine as that offered Thursday evening in Marion as part of the 12th annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest — all for free, thanks to the support of many benefactors.
Artistic director Russell Patterson is back for another season with his largest ever orchestra, its 37 members comprising nationally and internationally known artists from near (flutist Wendy Rolfe of Marion) and far (violinist Lorenz Gamma, California).
An appreciative audience of a couple hundred Thursday evening heard a program of chamber music that ranged from sprightly and charming (Doppler's Andante and Rondo, Opus 25) to the visceral passion of Franck's Piano Quintet in f minor.
Sandwiched between was Heinrich von Herzogenberg's Trio in d major, Opus 61, originally programmed for Saturday. The festival's chamber music director, violinist Janna Lower, came on stage to announce that the ensemble preparing Spohr's Grand Nonet in f major, Opus 31, had opted to take a couple more days of rehearsal to bring the piece to the audience in "tip-top shape," and urged all to return to hear it on Saturday evening.
As pianist David Allen Wehr noted in introducing the Herzogenberg, Thursday's was "an exceedingly rare performance" of the piece that features the distinctive combination of piano, French horn (James Thatcher) and oboe (Peter Stempe).
Commenting on the Franck work, Mr. Wehr explained that "the piece disturbed and scandalized some audience members" at its premiere in 1880 because of its intense emotionality, but that "the five of us deeply believe that this is one of the masterpieces of the chamber literature." Undoubtedly the bravura performance by Mr. Wehr, violinists Charles and Rachel Stegeman, violist Roger Myers and cellist Mark Tanner convinced listeners of that.
SouthCoast music lovers have two more opportunities to hear the artists of the Buzzards Bay Musicfest. At 8 tonight, a chamber music concert will feature Devienne's Duo, Opus 5, No. 4 in f major, the deferred Spohr's Grand Nonet, and Schubert's String Quartet in d minor, D. 810 ("Death and the Maiden"). At 2 p.m. Sunday, the festival will conclude with an orchestral concert offering Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Brahms' Double Concerto in a minor, Opus 102, and Brahms' Serenade No. 1 in d major, Opus 11.
Take the time to read the illuminating program notes by Susan Tillman, which surely add to listeners' enjoyment.
The performances are given in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall, Front Street, Marion.
Summing up the experience Thursday is an audience member's statement overheard during intermission: "We're lucky to have this in Marion, so lucky."