With almost 1,000 recordings to its name, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is a group with staying power. It has almost as much staying power as the music it performed Sunday afternoon, when the highly acclaimed chamber orchestra bestowed baroque masterpieces upon a standing-room-only crowd at Rackham Auditorium.
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Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Rackham Auditorium |
It was the music - not studied virtuosity - that was the focus of this performance. The musicians seemed a connected community, kind enough to include the audience in their music-making. And while many ensembles emphasize authentic performance practice, Handel would certainly be happy with St. Martin's interpretation. Handel's contemporaries could not have played his music any better.
Spanish flutist Jaime Martin, who joined the ensemble for Bach's "Orchestral Suite No. 2 in b-minor," matched the group in sound and style. The ensemble maintained a high-energy performance despite somewhat slow tempos.
Bach's second suite is among the most beautiful and challenging pieces in a flutist's repertoire, and Martin soloed with style. Occasional cracks in his clear tone were overshadowed by such prized moments as the lovely final note of the Polonaise and the last flourish of the Badinerie.
Perhaps on a performance high, Martin returned to the stage and played the last movement once more. Even better the second time around, Martin ornamented freely - hamming it up in a comic musical conversation with Brown and the orchestra.
The flute projected well in the often-deadening hall, but harpsichordist Ian Watson did not have the same luck. The ensemble provided a lovely, if often too loud, accompaniment in Bach's "Concerto in d-minor for Harpsichord and Orchestra." The cadenza in the opening Allegro hinted at Watson's enviable technique. But his beautiful solos were best heard at times of minimal accompaniment.
The final piece brought Watson, Martin and Brown to center stage for one more work by Bach, his famed "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5." Although conservative tempos again prevailed, Watson gave an impressive technical display in the first Allegro's often electrifying harpsichord solo.
The entire orchestra played a full and lively finale. The afternoon's soloists were much appreciated, yet the unified sound was most engaging. The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields found its greatest strength in numbers.