MUSIC - Paranosic: Tiha Voda Breg Roni, ‘Quiet water wears down a shore’, (Serbian Proverb)

Annie Bergen: Live on WQXR from the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, The Westerlies kicking off the last of this summer's Naumburg Orchestral Concerts here at this historic 100 year old bandshell.  That was a world premiere by composer Milica Paranosic. She's in the audience here tonight, taking a bow. Named after a Serbian proverb. The piece was called Tiha Voda Breg Roni or Quiet Water Wears Down a Shore. Tonight's fanfare and all of the fanfares this season were written as part of this Centennial Celebration, celebrating the Bandshell.

I'm Annie Bergen, midday host from WQXR, and tonight, thank you, we're broadcasting live from Central Park with a well-loved ensemble that has performed here many times in the concert series, the East Coast Chamber Orchestra. Let's hear it for them.

ECCO as they, as they are known is a collective of string musicians from around the country. Every year they get together, they travel from their positions with some of the best orchestras and chamber ensembles in the US and they come together to share friendship and musical exploration with audiences, and they have a terrific program tonight.

A string serenade by a student of Dvořák. We'll hear a world premiere arrangement, a collection of folk songs from Panama, but we start the evening with Mozart and a Divertimento, which is also known as his Salzburg Symphony number one. Please give a warm welcome to ECCO.

MUSIC - Mozart: Divertimento for String Orchestra in D major, K.136, “Salzburg Symphony No. 1”

Annie Bergen: Live on WQXR, Mozart's Divertimento for String Orchestra in D major, played by the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, also known as ECCO, on this gorgeous night in Central Park. Beautiful out. Partly cloudy skies. Low humidity, it's just a great night to hear music with hundreds of folks assembled, uh, overflowing crowd, in fact, with everyone having their picnic dinners and joining friends and family. This is listener supported, Classical New York, 105.9 FM and HD WQXR Newark, and 90.3 FM WQXW Ossining.

And I'm Annie Bergen. If you wanna stay in the loop about all the events like this, please sign up for our WQXR newsletter. Super easy. Just text WQXR to 70101.

Well, it's intermission now at the Naumburg Bandshell, and in just a couple of minutes, I'll be joined by, uh, members of the orchestra from ECCO.

Uh, tonight's broadcast is part of this summer's Naumburg orchestral series, celebrating the 100th anniversary of this wonderful Bandshell. You know, there have been so many incredible performances on this stage. Uh, let's hear a bit of one right now. The composer, Astor Piazzolla, performed here in the late 1980s.

In 2012, the Naumburg Orchestral Concert series celebrated that historic concert by opening the summer series with a program in honor of that concert. Let's hear a little from that concert. Here is Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.

MUSIC - Piazzolla: Libertango

Annie Bergen: That's Astor Piazzolla's Libertango from an earlier performance here at the, uh, Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. And right now I'm joined by two members of the East Coast Chamber Orchestra violinist, uh, J Freivogel and violist Jessica Thompson. Thanks for stopping by.

J Freivogel: Great to be here.

Jessica Thompson: Thanks so much.

Annie Bergen: How did you come up with this particular program tonight? Uh, very diverse works. And is there any theme tying them all together?

Jessica Thompson: Um, I don't know that there's so much a specific theme. Just, you know, what, what would we want to listen to on a summer evening?

Annie Bergen: Well, how do you program a concert generally because you don't have a conductor or artistic director, how does that work?

J Freivogel: We, we think of the process of, uh, preparing for a concert and programming a concert, really, like if you can imagine a, a supersized string quartet. Uh, when we're playing and when we're rehearsing and when we're deciding on, uh, programming decisions, it really is, uh, something that we all come to, uh, unified agreement on.

So even if you think about the Still that we just ended that first half with, we made so many little decisions that this version of ECCO, these, uh, you know, 15 or 16 players together, uh, it creates its own magical, uh, of the moment performance of the piece.

Annie Bergen: Like for instance...

J Freivogel: For instance?

Annie Bergen: Yeah.

J Freivogel: Oh, for instance, we decided a few spots where Kobi, who is, who happened to be playing Concert Master, uh, he would play, uh, four bars of solo and then we would answer him, so bringing out the call and response nature to it. The fact that it was originally written as a string quartet and then can be played as string orchestra gives us a little liberty to be able to, uh, bring the piece to life how we think it will be, uh, wonderful. And I think it, I think it really, uh, it came off well, so.

Annie Bergen: Have all of the members been with the group since 2001? Or?

J Freivogel: The, the group is a great, um, uh, compilation of people, you know, it started out, uh, in 2001 and it, it's this shared love of, of playing together. And over the years, there is a core, uh, of ECCO that is, uh, maintains its identity. And we love inviting in all sorts of, uh, other, uh, transportive musicians into, into the fold to really inspire us. Yeah.

Annie Bergen: Mm-hmm. So, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, is there an East Coast sensibility, or what sets you apart from other chamber orchestras?

Jessica Thompson: Um, I don't know that our sensibility is specifically East Coast. It's just where the group got its start.

Annie Bergen: Okay.

Jessica Thompson: But, um, you know, it is a very, as, as J mentioned, it's a very democratic process. Our, our rehearsal process, everything is, is discussed and decided by consensus. And, you know, I think we really bring a lot of, um, you know, individual passion, but, but also passion for playing together as a group. We bring a lot of energy to our performances and, um, I think we stand out.

J Freivogel: Yeah, performances and rehearsals, you know, rehearsals are, are, are full day affairs and they, they're great. You come home, uh, tired and inspired. Yeah.

Annie Bergen: Do people audition then for you? Do you look for a certain type of person to be in the group then?

J Freivogel: You know, it, there's no, it's not an audition thing. It's, um, it's one of the great things about music is it's a, it's a, an art form that's handed off and passed from one generation or one person to the next. And so, you know, we are all, uh, ECCO is made up of people who play in major orchestras and major chamber ensembles and, you know, whenever we get a chance to hear and play with other people, you know, there's a little, uh, conversation between, uh, folks like, Ooh, this would be a really nice person to have come play with ECCO and, and, uh, it's, it's more of an organic thing.

Annie Bergen: And how long have you been with the ensemble, J?

J Freivogel: Uh, I first started playing with the ensemble in, ooh, I can't exactly, I think it was 2008 when the reason I got asked to play was because the violinist who was gonna come, couldn't get in 'cause it was a blizzard. So I took…

Annie Bergen: Wow.

J Freivogel: An overnight, I drove overnight from New Haven to Virginia where we were rehearsing through about 13 inches of snow.

Annie Bergen: Oh my.

J Freivogel: Uh, and then spent the whole next day rehearsing. And it's just, you know, it's so fun. It's, it's great. Yeah.

Annie Bergen: And what about you?

Jessica Thompson: Um, my ECCO origin story isn't quite so dramatic as J's, but, um, I have, I think the first time I played with the group was in about 2010 or so.

Annie Bergen: Mm-hmm. Okay. So you're big into education. So what types of events does that include?

J Freivogel: Well, uh, ECCO, all the, all the members that make up ECCO are people who are of the generation now who, who believe that music should be something that both is enjoyed in a concert hall, but also can be kind of, used to explore emotion and, and understanding and connectivity to, for, for students.

So all of the folks who you see are here, I guess on stage are, are really, uh, passionate about bringing the, bringing chamber music and bringing the, the sound and the, the, the idea of all working together into, sometimes that's into schools. Sometimes that's into a masterclass format. It really varies depending on the situation.

Annie Bergen: There are a lot of young people here in the audience really loving the Danzas de Panama. They really, really love that. It was great. Uh, any upcoming projects, tour dates? Albums?

J Freivogel: I think the next ECCO, uh, if you're, if you're interested, it's in Skaneateles, right?

Jessica Thompson: Yes. We will be going up to the Skaneateles Festival, um, in just about a week and playing.

J Freivogel: Yeah.

Annie Bergen: Where is that?

Jessica Thompson: Um, it's in upstate New York.

Annie Bergen: Okay.

Jessica Thompson: Near the Finger Lakes.

Annie Bergen: Wonderful.

J Freivogel: And there's a great bakery there. Great music and a great bakery.

Jessica Thompson: Mm-hmm.

J Freivogel: So it's always a fun, uh, fun time to be there.

Annie Bergen: And any other future projects or?

J Freivogel: Yeah, we get together about, uh, three or four times a year and, um, you know, it's, it's such a wide ranging, uh, uh, thing that ECCO does, but it's, it's usually three to four sessions and we get together, rehearse for about a week, and then put on a series of concerts.

Annie Bergen: Fantastic. You're regulars here at the Naumburg Bandshell.

Jessica Thompson: That's right.

Annie Bergen: Pretty much. So what do you love about being here in Central Park?

Jessica Thompson: Oh, I mean, what is not to love about this? It's beautiful. Well, when the weather is like this,

Annie Bergen: I know.

Jessica Thompson: it's a fantastic experience. Um, just the atmosphere and we usually get a gorgeous sunset right about intermission, so I'm waiting for that shortly.

Annie Bergen: Yeah. And there's a full moon tonight.

J Freivogel: Yeah.

Jessica Thompson: And, um, yeah. And it's, it's a huge audience, really appreciative audience.

J Freivogel: Yeah.

Jessica Thompson: This is a great place to play.

J Freivogel: It's so fun.

Annie Bergen: Alright, we're looking forward to, uh, the second half of the program. We're gonna hear a world premiere arrangement and also music of Josef Suk.

Thank you so much for speaking with us. Uh, J Freivogel and Jessica Thompson from the East Coast Chamber Orchestra.

J Freivogel: Thank you.

Jessica Thompson: Thank you.

Annie Bergen: We'll see you in a bit. Alright, we have more for you, including a piece written by composer Josef Suk, as I mentioned, who happened to be not only a student of Dvořák, but also his son-in-law.

Uh, the piece ECCO is going to perform is Suk's Serenade for Strings modeled after Dvořák's own Serenade. Uh, we'll join ECCO again in just a couple of minutes, but first let's hear a bit of that Serenade for Strings by Antonín Dvořák performed a few years ago on this very stage by the East Coast Chamber Orchestra.

MUSIC - Dvořák: Serenade for Strings

Annie Bergen: I'm Annie Bergen, and we are live from the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park on WQXR. And we're back now for the second half of our concert. Please again welcome the East Coast Chamber Orchestra or ECCO.

We're proud to be broadcasting all of the Naumburg orchestral concerts, this se, this summer. And this is the last one of the 2023 season. Oh, I know. Next year. And we're celebrating, of course, an extraordinary century of concerts in this historic Bandshell. There are two more pieces on tonight's program.

Uh, there's a string ensemble by Josef Suk. He was both a student of Dvořák's, as well as his son-in-law. But first, we are going to hear a world premiere arrangement of a piece by a Jamaican-born composer, Eleanor Alberga. It's called, Remember for String Orchestra, and to tell us a little bit more about it, uh, let's welcome violinist Emma Frucht. Hi Emma.

Emma Frucht: Hi Annie. Hi everyone. Thank you so much for being here with us tonight. So we're about to perform Eleanor Alberga's Remember. Alberga wrote this piece shortly after her mother passed away in memory of her mother. The form of this piece is like a song without words.

Alberga was inspired by the Jamaican folk song, Come Back Liza, for its melody, and pairs it with extremely beautiful and evocative harmonies that have a distinct sense of longing and yearning for a loved one who's no longer with us. This piece was originally written for string quartet and we're going to be playing a version of it for string orchestra tonight that's actually never been performed before.

So this is a world premiere of this version of the piece, which is exciting.

Annie Bergen: Thank you, Emma.

Emma Frucht: Thank you.

Annie Bergen: Let's hear Remember by Eleanor Alberga from the East Coast Chamber Orchestra.

MUSIC - Alberga: Remember for String Orchestra

Annie Bergen: The East Coast Chamber Orchestra or ECCO with the world premiere arrangement of Eleanor Alberga's Remember for String Orchestra live from the Naumburg Bandshell here at Central Park.

We have one more piece left on the program, Josef Suk's Serenade for Strings. Suk was a, uh, student of Antonín Dvořák's and eventually became his son-in-law.

Uh, while he was a student Dvořák kind of noticed a mournful streak in his music and gave him an assignment to compose something a little more cheerful. The Serenade for Strings was that, the result. We're celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Naumburg Bandshell here in Central Park. Such a great setting for so many performers that have included Leonard Bernstein, Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Bill T. Jones, and others.

We hear now Suk's Serenade for Strings and E-flat Major performed by the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, ECCO.

MUSIC - Suk: Serenade for Strings in E flat major, Op. 6

Annie Bergen: Live from the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, the East Coast Chamber Orchestra performing Josef Suk's Serenade for Strings in E Flat. And they're getting a standing ovation from the adoring crowd here in Central Park, taking their bows. What a terrific night. What a fantastic program for a summer evening, which began with Mozart.

Uh, and then we heard, uh, the Danzas de Panama, that world premiere by Eleanor Alberga. And now Josef Suk's Serenade for Strings. Our hearts are full as this wraps up another summer in Central Park with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, uh, Series. We hope to be back next year. And the musicians come back out for, to acknowledge all of the applause here tonight. Taking another bow. Everybody's come forward to the stage, all the musicians taking their bow.

And you can learn more about events happening with WQXR by signing up for our WQXR newsletter. Just text WQXR to 70101. That's text WQXR to 70101. Our great thanks to Christopher London, President of the Naumburg Orchestral Society, and his staff, including Stage Manager extraordinaire Pati Dynes.

Also thanks to L and M sound and light and our friends at SummerStage. The WQXR team includes engineers, Ed Haber, George Wellington, Chase Culpon, and Noriko Okabe. Our production team, Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Laura Boyman, and Christine Herskovits. I'm Annie Bergen. Thanks so much for joining us. Sending it back to our downtown studio now to my colleague Miyan Levenson.

Copyright © 2023 New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use at www.wnyc.org for further information.  

New York Public Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline, often by contractors. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of New York Public Radio’s programming is the audio record.