They did it again.
Time for Three — a young, genre-defying ensemble that has earned a substantial following in less than a decade — returned to Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium on Thursday, once again proving to local audiences how their open, collaborative style is exactly what’s needed in classical music today.
In a program of carefully selected arrangements for ensemble and orchestra, Tf3 drove home the spirit and sensibility of funk, folk, the blues and the balladeer tradition.
Indeed, Tf3 — including violinists Zachary DePue and Nicolas Kendall and double-bassist Ranaan Meyer, as well as drummer Matt Scarano and the exceedingly talented Josh Fobare on keyboards — has successfully created a niche for itself, performing original arrangements of contemporary, classic and classical themes.
Take, for example, their ripping rendition of “The Daftest of Punks” (Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Thomas Bangalter and Kanye West, arranged by Tf3 producer Steven Hackman); or their deeply moving interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s soulful “Hallelujah.”
Whatever the context, Tf3’s physical approach to music — combined with their strong chemistry, unflagging energy and a healthy dose of bluegrass-style showmanship — is refreshingly out of bounds. (That said, a few of their arrangements are arguably too long-winded.)
Of particular note was Tf3’s world premiere of Meyer and Hackman’s “Simply Blue.” Commissioned by Colorado Music Festival patrons Grace and Gordon Gamm, the virtuosic, improvisatory work builds on the influence and inspiration of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Dave Brubeck even as it stretches the mind and heart into new musical frontiers.
After intermission, maestro Michael Christie and the superb festival orchestra delivered all the tempestuousness and drama of Hector Berlioz’s imaginative and ultimately sinister “Symphonie Fantastique,” Op. 14.
Upon Christie’s elegant direction of the waltz movement and the orchestra’s wonderfully understated portrayal of a calm, idyllic countryside, the thundering timpani passages introduced the macabre conclusion that depicts a beheading by guillotine. The stunning “Witches’ Sabbath” movement that ensues was especially brilliant, rendered as a frenzied, breathless dance.
The festival finale repeats tonight.
