Search - David Chesky, Stephen Somary, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra :: David Chesky: Psalms 4,5 & 6 for Orchestra

FRIGHTENINGLY WORTHY PRECOGNITIVE SUCCESSORS

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 10/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How suddenly appropo David Chesky's new Psalms For Orchestra 4,5 and 6 are... and the bone-chilling subscripture that reads: "Remembrance for the Victims of Modern Holocausts." In the dust and terror of the September 11th attack on New York City--- Chesky's habitat--- these three works take on an altogether more prophetic and sobering meaning, their titles--- "Sorrow," "Aftermath," "Rage and Despair"--- now, more than ever, numb and grieve us. And the music, itself? A memorial written, uncannily, before the fact: gripping, penetrating, emotionally devastating. So absolute is the exceptional relevance of these works, so timely their message, that the coincidence is manifest and, on hearing, never forgotten.



Chesky's compositional leap forward, too, is astounding. He has developed an artistry even keener in its sensitivity to orchestral color and nuance, to a more consistently pervasive aural mood, and to a startlingly intuitive grasp of mortality. The use of soloists, as well, is of a much richer, more integrated nature. Both Jan Slavik (Cello) in Psalm 4 and Matej Drlicka (Clarinet) in Psalm 5 are superb, disquieting musicians. Psalm 6 (like Chesky's Psalm 3) is for solo string orchestra and, as I listen again, realize it is the apotheosis of this new trilogy, as well. Now, however, in light of the horrific tragedy, it seems more a death knell for humankind.



Without his realizing it and, of course, not basing his new Psalms on events that had not yet occurred, Chesky's opus delivers a psychological wallop ex post facto that is utterly unnerving, stunning, desperately depressing.



The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, under Stephen Somary, is raptly attuned to Chesky's "vision," providing sound that shimmers, laments, storms. Soloists Slavik and Drlicka are artists whose consummate playing adds infinite dimension to works that are already nightmares all too worldly.



[Running time: 66:35]"