Two World Concerto: The Music of James DeMars
Sunday's Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Artpark, conducted by Robert Franz, was a feast for the senses.Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai , a dignified and handsome man with braided hair, played music that sounded like the chirping of birds and, on occasion, the cries of coyotes.Real birds joined in, creating impromptu duets that made the audience smile. When Nakai played a concerto movement called 'Crow Smoke: 'shaping worlds as fire burns...',' the notes mingled with the aroma of smoke from the charcoal grill outside, where the concession folks were grilling burgers.Outside, a gentle breeze blew. A woman listening on the lawn said that the music sounded as if it came not from the amphitheater, but from the hills.The concert, a celebration of Native American music, was supposed to have included not only Nakai - recognized as the world's foremost Native American flutist - but also the Black Lodge Singers. At the last minute the singers, for unclear reasons, couldn't make it.But the concert, with a little reshuffling, recovered nicely from that loss.It began with Aaron Copland's Suite from 'The Tender Land,' music perfect for the day, and the BPO filled the gap created by the missing choir with Ferde Grofe's famous old 'Grand Canyon Suite.'The centerpiece of the afternoon was Nakai's showpiece, James de Mars' 'Two World Concerto.'With both his presence and his playing, Nakai inspired attention. The sound of the Native American cedar flute is different from our Western classical flute. It's strong and mellow, full-bodies and mournful. Think of a large, powerful recorder.Nakai displayed an endless palette of sounds. He poured out mournful melodies made up of long notes that tapered down, sorrowfully, at the end - and also trills, flutters and showers of notes that imitated all manner of creature. The instrument chirped, it yelped it occasionally howled. The orchestra created created an abstract but colorful backdrop, the virtuosity of our woodwinds mixing with his.You could call the music New Age. I found myself wanting to do yoga. But it was interesting enough to keep everyone's attention - not an easy feat at Artpark, where people tend to feel free to come and go. At the end, Nakai rewarded the enthusiastic applause with an exquisite 'Amazing Grace.'The Copeland and the 'Grand Canyon suite' were both enchanting. Franz's enthusiasm showed not only in his hilarious preconcert chat, but also in the verve he and the band displayed. This is the kind of romantic stuff the BPO does so well, savoring every phrase, playing up the music's beauty with liberty and unhurried grace. Amy Glidden, acting as concertmaster, turned out a capricious solo at the start of 'On the Trail' that made everyone smile.Summerfest, the BPO's monthlong celebration at Artpark, continues Friday. --By Mary Kunz Goldman - The Buffalo News / July 21, 2008 'Flutist, BPO give stirring performance'