On March 1, 2019, I had a chance to attend one of the Music on Point concerts performed by Jose Franch-Ballester (clarinet) and Jane Coop (piano). Right from the beginning of the concert Jose Franch-Ballester wanted to create an exciting atmosphere and intrigue the audience by describing the pieces they were about to perform. You could clearly see his enjoyment of being on the main stage and sharing his passion for music with the audience. On the other hand, Jane Coop seemed to be more reserved and did not show many emotions, until the moment when they were about to start playing. She sat down, put her hands on the piano, and soon realized that she forgot her glasses! At the moment when she told this to the spectators, the whole auditorium had a good laugh with the performers. Jane Coop soon returned with her glasses on and they started this wonderful concert.
Charles Stanford wrote Three Intermezzi in 1879 and clearly intended the work for the clarinet to be played along piano, but his publisher insisted on arranging this piece for cello and violin instruments as well. After listening to this piece at this concert, I can’t imagine it being performed without clarinet. Its sound adds such a warm and hearty feeling to all three movements, while the piano provides a solid accompaniment. The first intermezzo Andante espressivo is very light and dreamy at the beginning and the end with a quite upbeat middle section. The second intermezzo Allegro agitato starts off with a galloping sound of piano and clarinet adds its playful sound. This intermezzo is quite similar to the music played during the Tarantella dances in Italy. The third intermezzo again starts off very playfully and closer to the middle section it slows down and provides a more relaxing sound. The end part is quite similar to the beginning. I feel these three intermezzi provided an interesting contrast between cheerful and more serious character, just like Jose’s and Jane’s performing styles.
Sonata No.1 in F minor for clarinet and piano, Op. 120, No 1. by Johannes Brahms concluded the concert. It consists of four movements; each movement complemented each other and added a unique sound. The first movement is in a sonata form, which begins with a solo piano introduction, then the clarinet enters the scene. Brahms did not want the piano to be a sole accompaniment and with use of multiple harmonies provided an equal relationship between the piano and clarinet. The fourth movement starts off with bright piano and slows down by the time clarinet starts playing multiple arpeggios. Throughout the fourth movement, Jose played quick solo arpeggios and showed his abilities with this instrument.
Overall, the concert was very well performed and created a great atmosphere. I think everyone in the audience could feel Jane’s and Jose’s passion for their work. Jane and Jose even performed an additional instrumental piece by one of the Spanish authors. Unfortunately, I could not get the name of the piece. As with other pieces performed that night, this piece was perfect to conclude the whole concert.