ORION ENSEMBLE

BN/De stem

A laugh amidst tears

These musicians are a harmonious team, they perfectly appreciate each other. The pianist unerringly follows the strings, providing proper incentives. The music written by John Williams for the film Schindler’s List naturally plucked many heart strings. Orion plays this music without pathos, true to what music should be.Especially the part, Jewish Town, with its peculiar Jewish scales , intervals and poignant second chords is fascinating. With Sounds from the Past by Joachim Stutsjevsky Orion plays a different tune. The musical story of a Jewish wedding shows influences of klezmer music, and the variation of dance, lament, high spirits, lullaby and celebration really is a virtuoso performance. This rhythmically complicated music with many pointed runs, heavy chords in the piano part and even a touch of Russian music is given the right interpretation. ...the second piano trio by Sjostakovitsj . It is an in memoriam for his friend Sollertinski. This trio is a prolonged lament in the tradition of Rachmaninov and Tsjaikovski. The contemplative melody, performed in flageolet by the cello (with sordino) stirs one’s soul right away. Terrifyingly beautiful music with unexpected daring harmonies and poignant chords. This is emotionally electrifying music forcing the audience (even the inexperienced music lover) to listen attentively. Spectacular and carnivalesque sounds the Scherzo, Allegro non troppo. To Orion the terrifically difficult passages and sometimes satanic rhythms are no obstacles and are played in a virtuoso and compelling way. The largo is a long lament in which the pain for the loss of a friend is being depicted. The chord sequence , recurring a few times, evokes sadness and is moving to the bone. Gripping sounds and melody lines lead up to the final Allegretto in which Jewish tunes can be heard. After the staccato chords by the piano and the pizzicato tones by the strings a macabre and sinister theme is introduced. Also the subsequent themes are typically Sjostakovitsj who in his music regularly denounced the violence and cruelty of war. This beautiful trio is interpreted prodigiously and Orion leaves an overwhelming impression.