BLACK OAK ENSEMBLE REVIEW – BY JOVANKA VISEKRUNA JANKOVIC, PIANIST
ARTISTS TO ARTISTS
Praised by the Chicago Tribune for its “flamboyant vitality” and “expert performances,” the Black Oak Ensemble is establishing itself as a one of the premier chamber ensembles in the United States.
At its core is a string trio comprising violinist Desirée Ruhstrat and cellist David Cunliffe (members of the Grammy-nominated Lincoln Trio) and violist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli.
The Black Oak Ensemble has performed throughout the United States and Europe, including appearances at the Ravinia Festival, Chicago Cultural Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Latino Music Festival, Mayne Stage, WFMT, Grand Rapids Museum of Art, Communauté Juive de Nancy, and Le Festival du film Juif de Paris, and has held residencies at Eau Claire University, St. John’s School for the Arts (USVI), Arizona State University, and Safford Arizona. The Black Oak Ensemble currently serves as Ensemble-in-Residence at the New Music School in Chicago.
The project-based Black Oak Ensemble is a passionate advocate of undiscovered and new works. It has commissioned and premiered new string trios from renowned composers such as Michael Nyman, David Ludwig, and Conrad Tao, and has collaborated with musicians such as bandoneon player, Evan Orman, guitarists Goran Ivanovic and Jose Ferreira, harpsichordist Jory Vinikour, and the Cavatina Duo.
The ensemble is named for the black oak, a beautiful tree native to its home state of Illinois (one stands in the front yard of Desirée Ruhstrat and David Cunliffe).
Dedicated educators, the members of the ensemble have put down roots in the south of France, creating Musique Dans Le Gers, a music festival that provides an opportunity to work with young artists and share their experiences and music with the community.
The ensemble performed its Silenced Voices program in Belgrade at Madlena Palace of ART and in Zagreb at the Svetislav Stančić Hall with pianist Pallavi Mahidhara and young violinist Rabia Brooke. The program was composed of three Hungarian peaces by composers Paul Herman, Sandor Kuti and Geza Frid for string trio, piano solo performance of Pallavi Mahidhara who performed the selection of 4 Etudes by Franz Liszt including La Camapanela, solo Isay sonata performed by young violinist Rabia Brooke.
In the second half of the concert the ensemble performed Dohnany piano quintet in C minor op 1. String trio with Desire Ruhstrat, first violin, Aurelien Pederzoli, viola and David Cunliffe cello, introduced to Zagreb Audience exceptionally professional and refined chamber trio with artists showing artistic excellence and extraordinary musical synergy. Three movements of three Hungarian composers, were followed by movement of Isay Sonata no 5, performed by young violinist Rabia Brooke. It is always challenging but also very motivating for young artists to share the stage with their teachers and renowned colleagues. Ms Brooke, obviously enjoyed that opportunity and played L’Aurore movement with devotion and a lot of emotions. She created that magical moment with the audience and shared her very personal interpretation, precise and clear. Young artists shared her story at the stage as a soloist, but also performed very demanding piano quintet by Dohnany with the ensemble. The quintet showed the powerful energy of both trio and pianist Pallavi Mahidhara, whose piano sounded powerful in a convincing but delicate manner… Ms Mahidhara showed enormous strength and technical mastery but also rare sense for the richness of the piano sound, creating the inspiring connection with the ensemble. It was such a special interpretation in which all artists showed their mastery, with a strong energy of two women – Ms Ruhstrat as a first violin, and pianist Mahidhara.
Sharing their musical truth and silenced voices the Black Oak ensemble impressed the audience in both Belgrade and Zagreb and honoured them with unique musical experience.
