A cast of some of the region’s finest musicians didn’t disappoint over the weekend in the Boulder Bach Festival.
Since 1982, the BBF has undergone several iterations of leadership and scope. This year’s programs — headlined by such locally based stars as mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore, soprano MeeAe Namm and bass-baritone Ashraf Sewailam — shone within Timothy Krueger’s direction.
Featuring two of J.S. Bach’s brief “Lutheran” masses, the Friday and Saturday festival concerts at Boulder’s First United Methodist Church revealed the sacred reflection and celebratory spirit of both works.
While all three soloists are accomplished, Lattimore’s cultivated, mellifluous tone and effortless articulation were most suited to Bach. Sewailam’s voice is rich and resonant but arguably too voluminous and dramatic for the composer’s distinctive intertwining of melody, harmony and counterpoint. Namm’s approach lacked the needed subtlety and airy grace.
Of note, however, were tenor Paul Stuber’s sensitive solo phrases in the Missa in A Major.
Friday’s vibrant instrumental performances of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and double concerto for two violins highlighted Krista Bennion Feeney in multiple roles as concertmaster, leader and soloist. Her strong, focused delivery was complemented by the talents of violinist Owen Dalby, flautist Christina Jennings and Jory Vinikour on harpsichord.
Saturday, Vinikour commanded the attention of the near-capacity audience with his reading of Bach’s harpsichord concerto in E Major. Lacking the complex mechanics of the modern-day piano, the harpsichord requires of performers an impeccable technique and the ability to coax out of the instrument its capacity for delicate gradations in tone, texture and dynamics. Vinikour delivered on all these fronts, especially in his rendering of Bach’s Fantasy in C minor as an encore.
The rousing Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 kicked off Saturday’s program, once again showcasing Feeney and the BBF orchestra in a committed, irreproachably triumphant performance.
