We have detected that you are using an adblocking plugin in your browser.

The revenue we earn by the advertisements is used to manage this website. Please whitelist our website in your adblocking plugin.

SCRUTINY | 21C Festival Openner One Grand Experiment

By Michael Vincent on May 21, 2015

Copeland-Parker
Stewart Copeland and Jon Kimura Parker open RCM’s 21C Music Festival

21C Festival, Stewart Copeland, Jon Kimura Parker and others. Koerner Hall, Wednesday May 20.

[Orininaly published in the Toronto Star]

Yesterday marked the start of the second year of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s 21C Music Festival. The festival runs for five busy days, and opened with an innovative collaboration between ex-Police Drummer Stewart Copeland, pianist Jon Kimura Parker and others.

While Copeland is perhaps best known as the former drummer of The Police, his career has continued to flourish. Instead of turning to real estate or selling insurance in Florida, he reinvented himself as a composer for the screen and stage. His post-Police career credits include countless Hollywood film scores, an opera for the Cleveland Opera Company, and ballets for the San Francisco Ballet and Ballet Oklahoma. In other words: lemons to lemonade.

Aptly titled Of the Score, the festival opener featured the quintet converging between the written score and improvised music – a home Copeland happily resides. The line-up was impressive, and besides Copeland and Jon Kimura Parker, featured MET Opera violinist Yoon Kwon, EVI (electronic valve instrumentalist) Judd Miller and a young bassist Marlon Martinez.

The evening flew by with classically tinged works that numbered twelve, plus an encore. Copeland mentioned that anyone who could name the encore would win a trip on the band’s private jet. Parker interjected, “but we don’t have a jet…” Rock & Roll excess is a hard habit to break.

Like a scene from the Glastonbury Festival, the spectacle started with Copeland walking out on stage with his drumsticks held high above his head. The other musicians followed suit, eager to let loose and have fun.

Anchored by a Marshal Stack sitting centre stage, standouts included Copeland’s Celeste, which was the most cohesive of the bunch. What was unique was Copeland’s emphasis on the groove, rather than a typical percussive backbone. His signature snare sound was high-pitched and strident. With a traditional grip, the hi-hat filled in the gaps alongside many tasteful flourishes.

Violinist Yoon Kwon
Violinist Yoon Kwon

Violinist Yoon Kwon (playing amplified throughout) seemed to be the violin equivalent of the lead singer. Though she was charismatic and had technique in spades, she sometimes got lost in the many improvisatory climaxes that had the lady sitting in front of me slinking down in her seat. Despite the a few minor balance issues, Koerner Hall handled the decibels in stride.

The second highlight was an innovative arrangement of Stravinsky’s Suite from The Rite of Spring by Jon Kimura Parker. It opened with Judd Miller playing a solo on the EVI (a device that looks suspiciously like a breathalyzer). He evoked a collage flutes tinged with melodies including a quote from Every Breath You Take. Copeland looked on with a proud grin from the stool of his drum kit.

Reminiscent of the Bad Plus, they burst into a period of thumping and scowling chords that had just about everyone’s attention. Jon Kimura Parker grounded the ensemble with a perpetual motion that sewed the harmonies and instrumental voices into a dense tapestry. This wasn’t your typical Rite of Spring, but the energy was there.

So was this Jazz or classical? I would say neither. But who cares what you call it, as long as it feels right. It was more about the unique combination of the musical personalities that made the night a success. The point is exploration, which the 21C Music Festival has made its forte.

The 21C Music Festival runs May 21-24.

#LUDWIGVAN

Want more updates on Toronto-centric classical music news and review before anyone else finds out? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Facebook for all the latest.

Michael Vincent
Follow me

Share this article
lv_toronto_banner_high_590x300
comments powered by Disqus

FREE ARTS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, EVERY MONDAY BY 6 AM

company logo

Part of

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
© 2024 | Executive Producer Moses Znaimer