by Patria Baradi Pacis
On Saturday, May 12, music from “Bach To Brazil” featuring Laura Metcalf, cello, Rupert Boyd, guitar, Caleb van der Swaagh, cello, Andrew Yee, cello, Rachelle Durkin, soprano, Ani Kalayjian, cello, was performed at the Montauk School Auditorium surrounded by more than one hundred eager attendees in a half circle, formation with colorful, a la Picasso style posters as the backdrop created by the school’s talented, fifth grade class.
The long awaited 2018 Music For Montauk Spring Concert opened with cello quartet, Metcalf, Van Der Swaagh, Yee and Kalayjian from works of Johann Sebastian Bach-Suite No.6 in D Major, followed by guitarist Boyd from works of Antonio Carlos Jobim and later joined by Internationally acclaimed soprano, Durkin singing works of Manuel De Falla’s “Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas. ”
This reporter found Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion” played by the four cellists very soothing. When “Libertango” came up, I had to stop myself from getting up and doing the tango. Caroline Shaw’s “Limestone and Felt” performed by Kalayjian and Yee was amusing to watch as they plucked their cellos away. The audience could feel what a moving statue on felt was like while being pushed across a cement floor. Radames Gnattali’s “Allegretto Comodo” brilliantly performed by Metcalf and Boyd and Bach’s “Two-Part Inventions” that was originally arranged for piano was played for the first time with a cello and a guitar combination arrangement. The program closed with Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5” and a standing ovation followed by a dinner reception at Gosman’s Restaurant.
It was a bitter-sweet evening. Directors Lilah Gosman and husband Mylos Repicky dedicated the concert in memory of her aunt, Roberta Gosman Donovan, who sadly, passed away on May 10, During dinner, the Montauk family and guests raised their glasses in memory of Roberta who loved and breathed Montauk. Everyone felt her presence in the restaurant that she managed for decades. Kudos to all who helped make the evening a success.
The Summer Series Concerts will be on August 7 to August 16 and will be held at Third House (Montauk County Park), Fort Pond House, The Art Barge and Duck Creek, including string orchestra, Leonard Bernstein celebration, and a “Cabaret.” See you there!
Music For Montauk is a 501 (c) 3 organization, whose mission is to present a series of high quality music programs for the Montauk Community and its neighboring villages in Eastern Long Island. All programs are free to the public, and rely on support from donations, private foundations, NYS Council of the Arts and Suffolk County. For more info kindly contact 646 342 0157 or e-mail lilahgosman@musicformontauk.org or check www.musicformontauk.org, facebook and twitter.
