First Impressions by Karolina Hopper

Concert a ‘Walk Through the Tuscan Valley’

Imagine a warm, rainy afternoon on a perfumed walk through the Tuscan valley, and that is exactly what was conjured by the return of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra to Christ Church in Cooperstown on Saturday, June 17. The near-capacity audience was treated to another deeply musical and virtuosic display by this very stylish ensemble, guided by the knowing baton of Maestro Maciej Zoltowski.

A true rarity in the Serenade for Strings, Op 11 of Swedish composer Dag Wirén opened the concert, rushing in like a warm, early-summer breeze. Here is a wonderfully melodic, mellifluous work that deserves more attention than it has ever received on these shores. A somewhat slight work, it nevertheless received careful and loving attention from the orchestra and conductor. Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite 3 immediately followed. It would be difficult to find a more evocative, delicious work devoted to the early musical landscape of Tuscany of the 16th and 17th centuries.

After the intermission came the notoriously difficult “Souvenir de Florence” by Tchaikovsky. It has all the hallmarks, and pitfalls, of the composer; pizzicati, gorgeous melodies, and demands for technical, almost unsurmountable, bravura. Which brings us to the crux of this article.

The strings of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra performed luminously throughout the afternoon, with each section sounding as if it was one huge instrument. This is not an easy thing for a conductor to achieve. Notorious (there’s that word again), technical difficulties seemed like child’s play and were performed with an astonishing élan. As if that were not enough, all of the afternoon’s offerings were blessedly in tune! And several of the orchestra’s musicians took turns at the exceedingly difficult solos to an ovation that has rarely been heard in this area.

The magic of the Tuscan hills was lovingly nurtured along the way by Maestro Zoltowski, who is already celebrated here and abroad for his refinement and ability to bring forth the best from each member of his orchestra. It is also a joyful happening that in so short a time, Fenimore Chamber Orchestra has positioned itself as did Marlboro or Interlochen, both of which are in very out-of-the-way areas. And next season, this author has heard that every concert by Fenimore Chamber Orchestra at Christ Church will be repeated at another performing venue throughout the area. What could be a better ambassador for the already well-known Cooperstown? We look forward to the second season of concerts to commence on August 26.