Chancellor's Concert Series

These lunchtime concerts on the UCSF campus ritually start with a short poetry reading by David Watts, M.D., & this time Dr. Watts read a few of his own published poems. These included 2 poems of only 31 words each & another one written from "a different level of consciousness." Violinist Leor Maltinski & cellist Angela Lee then gave a clean & smooth-edged performance of Kodály's Duo for Violin and Cello. Mr. Maltinksi demonstrated impressive bite on his up-bow, as well as rapid bow speed changes & a strong sound high up on the E string. Ms. Lee's playing is fluent & connected, & she is a responsive player. The piece itself keeps both instruments equally involved, & the performance had the feel of a conversation between equals. I especially enjoyed their long-lined adagio movement.

The half-hour event was held in a lecture hall whose steep stadium-style seating made me think of an operating theater. The acoustic is very clear if a bit dry. During the 2nd movement, Mr. Maltinski's E string peg slipped, & the duo had to stop to re-tune, which they did with great calm & then resumed exactly where they left off. On my way out, I heard 2 ladies tell the cellist how much they enjoyed hearing something "modern."

§ The Chancellor's Concert Series
Leor Maltinski, violin
Angela Lee, cello

Z. Kodály: Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7

Dec 1, 2011 12:00pm
Cole Hall, UCSF