Concert Date: April 13, 2003 Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico Performing: Camerata Sweden Program: Biber's Battalia in D major for Strings and Continuo Roman's Violin Concerto in F major Lidholm's Music for Strings Intermission without Refreshments, Op.0 Nielsen's Little Suite for Strings, Op.1 Bartok's Divertimento for Strings Although Los Alamos has a population of under 20,000 residents, it has hosted a series of concerts every year since the mid-1960's. Its high concentration of scientists and the dedication of particular individuals have insured the participation of well-known music groups and soloists. Los Alamos is a stunning spot in the Land of Enchantment, being located at the top of a Mesa about 1 1/2 miles above sea level. Although travelling there must have been quite a burden in the 1940's when the U.S. atomic program was initiated, there is now a fine network of roads leading to this small but musically progressive community. The April 13 concert was given by the Camerata Sweden, an ensemble of about 12 performers which plays without benefit of a conductor. Except for the cello and bass players, all members continuously stand while performing. Since they are young and appear to be in good shape, I assume that standing is not a problem. There was one particular young female violinist who looked the best and was also the most physically expressive of the group - I concentrated on her. Concert attendance was at 75% of capacity, and the bulk of the audience was elderly or getting close. Where were all the young and middle-aged adults? Probably waiting to turn 55. The Camerata Sweden plays modern instruments, and this was a little problematic concerning the Biber work. However, the muscians were charged up and energetic for this battle-laced work, almost making me forget that period instruments would be advantageous. The lack of period instruments was more significant for the Roman Violin Concerto. He may be Sweden's best composer from the Baroque period, but he can't hold a candle to the Bachs and Handels of the time. The Violin Concerto in F minor sounded rather ordinary, and I couldn't help but think that pungent period strings would have greatly jazzed up the lackluster-sounding music. The last work before the Intermission was Lidholm's Music for Strings. Nothing against Lidholm, but listening to Bartok's Divertimento clearly reveals the difference between an excellent composer and a master. I particuarly love Bartok's 2nd Movement 'Molto adagio' which is so forbidding yet pulls me into its chamber of horrors every time. The Camerata Sweden played this Movement and the outer movements in exceptional fashion. My wife Ellen Jane most liked the Nielsen work for its lyricism, simplicity, and accesibility on a first hearing. I told her my favorite work on the program was the Bartok, and she indicated that my preference didn't surprise her in the least. There were no refreshments at Intermission except for a water cooler which wasn't easy to get to with folks lingering around it in case they felt parched. I really don't understand the logic. Serve them, and they will come. Refreshments are a good way to make some money and please the audience members. So, my only musical complaint about the concert is the weak Roman Concerto and the lack of period strings. My wife figured that the reason the group does not play period instruments is that each member would have to carry at least two instruments on every tour. She doesn't hold with the notion that any performance principles might carry some in the decision making - it's just a matter of luggage. The primary plus for me of attending the concert was to make me more aware than before that I've slighted Bartok for much too long and need to redress the situation. As an aside, no discs were being sold. Does the Camerata Sweden have any recordings on the market? When I attended the Angela Hewitt concert last year, there were discs all over the lobby and patrons were flashing their paper money with gusto. Don Satz [log in to unmask]