Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The fine playing Sunday afternoon at the Florida Atlantic University Theatre started with guest pianist Mei-Ting Sun and guest conductor Alastair Willis. In only the second concert of its inaugural season, the new Boca orchestra is flexing musical muscles that could make it a heavyweight contender.

The program was a star, too: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor), Musica Celestis of Aaron Jay Kernis in its local premiere, and Stravinsky's Suite from Pulcinella.

Pianist Mei-Ting Sun led off the adventure, proving it possible to transform a familiar oldie into an avant-garde shocker. Sun would no sooner settle into a beautifully fluid, Old World Emperor than he'd toss the book aside in favor of a personal "comment." He loved tinkering with the rhythm. The slow-fast effect could be refreshing and maddening, like Beethoven with a rhythmic "lisp." Yet Sun could also build grandeur into even the smallest musical gestures.

In the final movement, he let slip some rather cut-and-dry passages, while elsewhere he could speak volumes in a single note. A wonderful mix of empathy, drama and disarmingly clean playing, Sun can translate his slightest whim into direct communication with his audience.

But be forewarned: Sun allowed the piano strings to vibrate long after the orchestra cut-off in the first movement. Perhaps he wanted to discourage applause that would disrupt the start of the hymn-like slow movement. He succeeded, but it'll sound pretty strange on the radio broadcast (WXEL FM-90.7, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.).

In Beethoven's Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, polished and assured string playing began to emerge despite the hall's bone-dry acoustics. The concerto opened with a European warmth and depth.

Conductor Alastair Willis, a 33-year-old Massachusetts native raised in Moscow and England, has worked with stars from chef Emeril Lagasse to cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He "paints" sound, adding warmth and depth the way a visual artist blends colors. A former assistant conductor with the Seattle and Cincinnati Symphony orchestras, Willis made it his mission with Boca to uncover tiny, unnoticed orchestral details.

When he wasn't balanced on the podium in fluid, graceful Tai Chi positions, he chatted about the music. He introduced Musica Celestis (Celestial Music, 1990), by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis. The 11-minute work for string orchestra is an orchestration of his String Quartet No. 1, second movement.

Personality, freshness, fun and sparkle made a lovely gift package, delivered by a group that is stretching itself beautifully and confidently.