KC Symphony premiere of ‘From the Mountaintop’ features clarinetist in heroic performance

Heroism can manifest in a single dramatic selfless action or in a lifetime of tireless persistence to aid the common good.

Celebrating these aspects of heroism, the Kansas City Symphony gave a forceful, energetic performance in Helzberg Hall on Friday with Michael Stern conducting.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3” was a fitting introduction in the heroic vein, taken from his rescue opera “Fidelio,” and the ensemble gave a propulsive reading.

In Richard Danielpour’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, “From the Mountaintop,” the hero character was two-fold. The work, co-commissioned by the symphony, evoked the message and elocution of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was inspired by his final speech, delivered the day before he was assassinated.

Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic, made his Kansas City debut with a purposeful and captivating performance, embodying the dynamic role. His mellifluous tone savored the line, turning from introspective passages to invigorated runs filled with dramatic trills and flutter-tongue effects.

The work had an indefatigable tenacity and referenced emblematic Americana. The clarinet began on a high clear note, the crescendo gradually descending into a series of rips and runs that sounded reminiscent of George Gershwin’s style. Insinuations of “The Star Spangled Banner” laced a formidable brass and percussion section.

The solo voice related to the orchestra as though in conversation, reoccurring themes woven through the seamless structure. His cadenza, supported by timpani, explored the themes with virtuosic fervor.

Throughout, McGill’s controlling presence interrupted the bombastic sections, at first as equally wild, but then gradually soothing to offer a prayerful response to the orchestra’s all-out effort. The audience held its collective breath as McGill sustained the final tone, completing the emotional arc of the piece.

A gallant Symphony No. 3 by Robert Schumann, nicknamed “Rhenish,” celebrated his experiences in Rhineland. The two outer movements were jubilant, their triumphant quality in keeping with the program’s theme. The orchestra played wholeheartedly: blazing horns, flowing melody from the cellos, energetic winds and strings. The fourth movement opened with a beautifully balanced trombone chorale that extended to the ensemble.

It was a fine performance, but for all the excitement, there was no surprise. Stern vigorously telegraphed every moment, making the urgency of the performance visual, not musical. The middle three movements required more motivated dynamic contrast and were generally too loud, too broad, the delicacy of individual nuance also subsumed in the excitement.

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 7:32 AM with the headline "KC Symphony premiere of ‘From the Mountaintop’ features clarinetist in heroic performance."