The Partial Observer by Karolina Hopper

Return of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra 'Brilliant'

Fenimore Chamber Orchestra made an eagerly anticipated, not to say brilliant, return to Christ Church in Cooperstown on March 18. In all aspects, this was another virtuoso concert program that the public has already come to expect.

The story of Don Juan and his just deserts was the thread that brought together the entire program. The concert began with Gluck’s ballet, “Don Juan,” and immediately got to the rather sardonic situation. This orchestra, under the leadership of Maestro Maciej Żółtowski, played sumptuously and offered brilliant cascades of string and woodwind playing. The strings played as one unifying voice and the winds offered the color to bring the story alive. The swaggering overture preceded a much-needed idyllic episode with atmospheric and elegant playing from oboist Susan Kokernak.