Peter Child: Reviews: Festival Composed 2003. Excerpted from (The Times Union, Albany, September 19, 2003)
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The Albany Symphony Orchestra launched its 73rd season on Thursday night with a varied but always vigorous program. The concert, in the beautiful Canfield Casino, will be repeated tonight in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The opening piece was a world premiere: "Festival," by Boston composer Peter Child. It was as lively as its name implies, but also, from the very first notes, rather ironic and smart. For example, a roaring timpani beneath cheerful winds and strings was clever and surprising.
In the more lyrical middle section, the woodwinds had solos that meandered about, followed by duets in the brass. In his introductory remarks, the composer shared images of a carnival. So perhaps these were his high-wire acts. "Festival" was pleasing and just right at eight minutes. |