Atlantic Whispering, August 12, 2018
Young Composers, Young Artists Concert 11 August -Tony Chadwick
Rondette for violin, violoncello, and piano was briefly presented by the composer Leslie Opatril, who focused on her neologism of "rondette," pointing to the miniature nature of her work compared with the traditional rondo form. The trio of Frédéric-Alexandre Michaud violin, Conner Cornick 'cello, and Stephen Eckert piano clearly enjoyed performing this rondette, attacking the opening bars with gusto, punctuated with some of the most enthusiastic pizzicato I have witnessed. Their ensemble playing was very enjoyable, sparked by some virtuosic passages where each instrument briefly held the limelight.
I Care If You Listen, February 22, 2018
Fresh Faces at the Winnipeg New Music Festival Composers Institute - Kevin Baldwin
Whisky Jack, by composer Leslie Opatril, uses the character of the bird by the same name as the impetus for the work. The opening melody is skillfully crafted with an intricate display of offset layers, the composite of which reveals the character of the work; a small, ruffled, flighty bird controls the narrative. The complex layering of material and themes constantly displaced over varying harmonious textures highlights a technical level of prowess untouched by many more prominent composers. The remarkable control of structure to bend and manipulate expectation controlled the narrative of gesture by the imagined bird, keeping the audience enthralled until the final note. In an amazing display of skill and potential, Opatril put herself on display, proving her place on the big stage of the new music world.
Young Composers, Young Artists Concert 11 August -Tony Chadwick
Rondette for violin, violoncello, and piano was briefly presented by the composer Leslie Opatril, who focused on her neologism of "rondette," pointing to the miniature nature of her work compared with the traditional rondo form. The trio of Frédéric-Alexandre Michaud violin, Conner Cornick 'cello, and Stephen Eckert piano clearly enjoyed performing this rondette, attacking the opening bars with gusto, punctuated with some of the most enthusiastic pizzicato I have witnessed. Their ensemble playing was very enjoyable, sparked by some virtuosic passages where each instrument briefly held the limelight.
I Care If You Listen, February 22, 2018
Fresh Faces at the Winnipeg New Music Festival Composers Institute - Kevin Baldwin
Whisky Jack, by composer Leslie Opatril, uses the character of the bird by the same name as the impetus for the work. The opening melody is skillfully crafted with an intricate display of offset layers, the composite of which reveals the character of the work; a small, ruffled, flighty bird controls the narrative. The complex layering of material and themes constantly displaced over varying harmonious textures highlights a technical level of prowess untouched by many more prominent composers. The remarkable control of structure to bend and manipulate expectation controlled the narrative of gesture by the imagined bird, keeping the audience enthralled until the final note. In an amazing display of skill and potential, Opatril put herself on display, proving her place on the big stage of the new music world.
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Music in Victoria, May 19, 2017
The Big Twin and Friends - Deryk Barker Leslie Opatril's Caldera was receiving its Western Canada premiere and revealed a young composer of considerable talent and no little skill. From its unquiet opening to its impressive close, this was increasingly involving, highly atmospheric music, idiomatically written for strings. This was the first of her music I've heard; I look forward to hearing more. |
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