For longtime Colorado Music Festival goers, Dmitry Sitkovetsky harkens back to the days of festival founder Giora Bernstein.
Exuding a sense of traditional, European grace and artistic discipline, as well as an easy rapport with the audience and the musicians of the CMF Chamber Orchestra, Sitkovetsky delivered inspired performances as both conductor and violinist on Sunday.
Approaching the end of the six-week summer festival at Chautauqua Auditorium, Sitkovetsky effortlessly commanded an appealing program of classical favorites – from Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings” to Louis Spohr’s rarely performed Violin Concerto No. 8 in A minor.
The Moscow-trained guest artist successfully portrayed the lilting, light-hearted gait of Spohr’s airy concerto, which is well-known to violinists but largely unfamiliar to even seasoned concertgoers.
Sitkovetsky’s presentation of the evening’s centerpiece was not only technically commendable but his demonstrative manner and heartfelt musicality bespeak an artist wholly enamored with his craft.
As the Italian-influenced score unfolded, Sitkovetsky balanced the roles of soloist and conductor with spontaneous flair. Sometimes the orchestra got its cue from his bow, sometimes from his elbow, sometimes from a mere nod of the head, and sometimes from a gesture by the unfailingly astute concertmaster, Calin Lupanu.
Opening the program was Wagner’s moving “Siegfried Idyll,” written for the composer’s lover, Cosima. Sitkovetsky took his time unwrapping the wonderfully tender and romantic work, first performed to awaken Cosima on the morning of her 33rd birthday. As conductor, Sitkovetsky revealed a superb sense of restraint that lent itself perfectly to the dreamy, peaceful melodies.
His subdued yet powerfully persuasive approach carried over to Tchaikovsky’s lyrical “Serenade for Strings.” The meditative piece, although heavy in harmonic texture, was presented with such care and sensibility that each soft phrase sounded luminously transparent.
In parts reminiscent of Mozart, in others more broadly sweeping and exciting, the emotional highlight of the serenade was the “Elegie” in which Sitkovetsky drew from the orchestra an exquisitely tender mood and sounds that wondrously bordered on silence.
Of note throughout the program were standout performances by principals Lisa-Maree Amos, flute, and Aharon Ephrat, violist. Also commendable was the strong bass section, whose members played with obvious pleasure.
Tonight, Sitkovetsky takes the CMF stage again, this time as violinist in a chamber music program that includes his highly acclaimed transcription for string trio of Bach’s immortal “Goldberg Variations,” as well as Villa-Lobos’ “Assobio a Jato” and Mozart’s Sonata for Bassoon and Cello in B-Flat major.
The festival concludes Aug. 5.
For more information, call 303-440-7666 or visit coloradomusicfest.org.
