By Roy Ziegler
Photo by Brian Keyes
Michelle Djokic, center, enjoys a post concert champagne
with guitarist, David Krantz, left and flutist, Jeffrey Khaner
The Concordia Chamber Players have found a way to transfer the perfect sunlit beauty of an autumn afternoon to music and move it into a glass enclosed studio almost like children capture fireflies in a jar for all to gaze upon and admire. Those who have attended the annual Concordia benefits at the Nakashima campus in New Hope over the past few years have come to expect such uplifting experiences, and Sunday afternoon they were not disappointed.
In a deeply heartfelt musical tribute to Marion Sumire Nakashima who passed away this summer, Philadelphia composer, David Laganella drew his inspiration from the serenity and tranquility of the Nakashima campus on Aquetong Road. He combined these feelings with the unparalleled sensitivity and respect for the beauty of wood that permeates the Nakashima environment. He could not have found a more worthy caliber of chamber musicians to premier this new composition. Jeffrey Khaner, Principal Flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and critically acclaimed guitarist, Allen Krantz joined Concordia’s artistic director, cellist Michelle Djokic in presenting melodies that were at once mystical and playful with haunting echoes of Japanese drum songs evoked by the artists transforming their musical instruments at times into miniature drums.
Setting the tone for the afternoon Ferdinand Carulli’s Serenade for Flute and Guitar evoked a pensive feeling especially in Krantz’s sensitive guitar before bursting into joy with Khaner’s flawlessly clear flute leading the way. Then Krantz soothed the audience with Agustin Barrios’s “An Alm for the Love of God” also known as “The Last Song” in which the celebrated guitarist keenly portrayed a soul trembling in awe in the presence of God.
Djokic and Krantz brilliantly translated Franz Schubert’s Sonata in D major into a work for cello and guitar in which Djokic’s cello with its deep elegance blended with the light and bubbling strings of Krantz’s guitar.
The afternoon concert ended with Handel’s Sonata in F major for flute and continuo that left the audience with a feeling of infectious optimism and joy.
The Concordia Chamber Players will present its first regular season concert on November 7 at 3 PM in the Stephen Buck Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School in New Hope. Works by Samuel Barber, Ingolf Fahl and Johannes Brahms will be performed. Tickets for the concert are $20 and can be reserved by calling 215-2975972.