On Thursday, Feb. 22, von der Mehden Recital Hall hosted an orchestral concert, titled “Metamorphose: UConn Symphonic Wind Ensemble.” The ensemble’s warming up was audible from the audience. The best way to describe it is as an impressive wall of sound.
The conductor, Dr. Janet Song Kim, entered the stage, and without a word, the concert began with a short trumpet solo that eventually grew into a brass section solo. When the full band started playing, the trumpet was front and center. The snares and cymbals made the composition stand out even more, as they provided a triumphant undertone to the already victorious sound of the rest of the band. The flutes later stuck out as being incredibly gorgeous. They reminded me of “Morphogenetic Sorrow” and “Blue Bird Lamentation” from the “Zero Escape” soundtrack.
Kim explained that the composition is titled “Life Anew” and that it was composed by a current UConn student and ensemble member Mark Paine. As the program states, “It is dedicated to Richard F. Hunihan II, a loving grandfather gone too soon.” Paine wanted to celebrate Hunihan’s life with “Life Anew.”
Kim then introduced a two-movement composition by Viet Cuong entitled “Diamond Tide,” which started with the woodwinds and xylophone. The cymbal control was enamoring, as the musicians would crash the cymbal and then mute it just to crash it again with the other percussive instruments.
There was a short pause to represent the transition between movements. Tubular bells and other metallic percussive instruments played at first, and then the brass came in. There was then a flute solo followed by an extremely loud moment that felt like a metaphorical punch to the face. The aggression didn’t stop there. Even the moment of respite had aggressive undertones.
There is intention behind everything he writes.
Dr. Janet Song Kim
After “Diamond Tide,” Kim introduced guest conductor Dr. Henry Dorn and recollected how she met him at a music-based workshop. “There is intention behind everything he writes,” Kim said. Seeing the two conductors hug made many audience members smile.
Dorn delved into the deep and urgent subject matter surrounding his composition “Transitions.” “This piece isn’t supposed to be beautiful,” Dorn said. He explained how this piece represents when his mother passed away from cancer one month after visiting him.
There was a franticness to the composition which reminded me of “Human Story 3” by James Ferraro if it were even more anxious. The rendition could make someone physically flinch with its attack notes. The woodwinds then made a weird feedback sound that resembled a flatline. There was then an ambiguous moment that sparked feelings of fighting back or despairing that was then resolved by confident horns. This composition was a potent and human potpourri of painful emotions.
Kim returned to introduce “Symphony No. 4” by revealing how bittersweet the performance of this composition was for her because of the loss of composer Glen Adsit, who recently died from cancer. She acknowledged how oddly the theme of the life cycle fit together with these four compositions in the name of coping with grief. It then became clear that “Diamond Tide” could not only represent the metamorphosis of diamonds, but also the transition between life and the afterlife. She then showed a clip of a video where Adsit was speaking with the Hartt Wind Ensemble.
There was a moment with a melodic percussive instrument similar to a xylophone which reminded me of “Ten Songs For Humanity” by James Ferraro. There was then a brief avant-garde jazz section and then a sound that resembled a cross between a whale call and a soft air raid siren. The conductor’s vigor in waving the baton to showcase the intensity of the piece was admirable. The performance was awarded by a standing ovation.
To anyone who enjoys music or has an open mind, I recommend supporting these musicians and the valuable things they portray. If you’re sensitive to loud noises, however, I would be cautious about attending these events, as the orchestra can get loud and intense. Von der Mehden Recital Hall will host another show on April 11, 2024. All von der Mehden events are free for UConn students with a valid ID.