Sunday, September 16, 2001

Starling group's talent can't be measured in age

By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

They range in age from 11 to 18, and their artistry is truly astonishing.

The latest disc from Cincinnati's Starling Chamber Orchestra is a vibrant reading of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Although this is well-trod repertoire, these youthful players bring something fresh and vivacious to these concertos. In particular, the soloists - Jessica Park, 16 (at the time of the recording); Tania Davison, 22; Eun-Mee Jeong, 17; and Timothy O'Neill, 19 - play with a genuine quality unmatched by some of the most seasoned artists.

The orchestra, led by director Kurt Sassmannshaus, displays admirable precision and often lyrical beauty. Fast movements, such as the first Allegro in Autumn, are exuberant and light, and the soloists tackle their virtuosic passages with flair.

There is plenty of vivid detail: the intoxicating peasant dancing of Autumn, the frantic buzzing of insects during the summer storm (Summer) and the chill of Winter.

Slow movements, such as the Largo in Spring, are poignant, sustained and sweetly articulated.

Some of the recording's warmth may be partly attributed to the instruments used for the performance. Four rare del Gesu and Stradivarius violins were loaned to the soloists, all students and alumni of the Starling Preparatory String Project at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, by Machold Rare Violins Ltd./USA.

The violins - Joseph Guarneri del Gesu 1737, "ex-Goodman"; Antonio Stradivarius, 1732; Joseph Guarneri del Gesu, 1732, "ex-Ferni''; and Antonio Stradivarius, 1667, "Piet" - are pictured in color in the CD booklet.

This CD is available at Starling Project Foundation Inc., 105 E. Fourth St., #725, Cincinnati, OH 45202 and Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Norwood.