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The
Music of Dinos Constantinides in Review
The
Music of Dinos Constantinides
Louisiana
State University Soloists
Weill
Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
Presented
by DCINY
November
30, 2012
The
music of the Greek-American composer Dinos Constantinides is outstanding. He is
truly original, in that he combines a Greek folk music or tradition with 20thcentury
influences. “Theme and Variations for Piano on a Greek Tune” is one such
example. Michael Gurt, pianist, played with both precision and affection.
“Fantasia for Stelios and Yiannis” for violin and viola, LRC 244 was also
lovingly played—and with real virtuosity by Renata Arado, violinist, and Espen
Lilleslatten, violist. “Delphic Hymn” made for another wonderful contrast by
Constantinides. The sound of the saxophone and guitar was a unique combination
to begin with, but the writing was unusually colorful and expressive. Griffin
Campbell on saxophone and Ronaldo Cadeu on guitar were a remarkable pairing.
The percussive knocks on the guitar added a unique flavor—almost like a third
instrument—and the saxophone’s soaring melodies made for an impressive
contrast.
Other
notable listings on the program were “Mutability Fantasy” –this time scored for
alto saxophone and piano, and “Hellenic Musings” for violin, soprano sax and
piano. “Sappho Songs” were unique in the way Sappho’s poetry was set to music.
It is simply amazing that the Greek poetess, Sappho, was born so many years
ago–on the island of Lesbos in the 7th century
BC. She is often considered the greatest lyric poet of antiquity, writing on
such subjects as love, nature and friendship. Her work survives in fragments,
yet Constantinides found a way to make it work.
Constantinides’
compositions have been performed throughout the US, Europe and Asia by
prestigious ensembles including the American Symphony Orchestra in New York,
the Memphis and New Orleans Symphony, the English Chamber Orchestra, the
Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic and the Athens State Orchestra. He has been the
recipient of numerous awards including several Meet the Composer grants, as
well as yearly ASCAP Standard Awards. In 1994, the White House Commission on
Presidential Scholars honored him with a Distinguished Teacher Award. He has
written over 250 compositions, most of them published. He has been the Director
of the Louisiana State University Festival of Contemporary Music for 22 years,
and he earned Artist of the Year Award of Louisiana. He is presently Boyd
Professor, the highest academic rank at Louisiana State University, head of the
Composition area, and Music Director of the Louisiana Sinfonietta. His music
deserves to be heard often—and in important cities and arenas.
-Anthony
Aibel for New York Concert Review; New York, NY
