Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jonathan Tunick’s enhanced orchestrations sparkle in the starry concert version of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

• By drediman
• June 30, 2024
• No Comments

These past few weeks have been a treat for Stephen Sondheim devotees. In addition to the well deserved triumph of Maria Friedman’s acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along at this year’s Tony Awards, fans soon after luxuriated in a stacked one-night-only concert of Sondheim’s Follies at Carnegie Hall (the sold out performance was a benefit for the Transport Group, a terrific Off-Broadway company that has done some rather fascinating work over the years). Continuing the embarrassment of riches is this past week’s handful of performances of the legendary lyricist/composer’s A Little Night Music at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. As the moon allegedly does in the musical, Sondheim surely must have been smiling down on New York as the stars aligned.

The main reason for Sondheim fanatics to swoon over this concert version of the 1973 Tony-winning musical is to experience Jonathan Tunick’s refreshed and expanded orchestrations for large ensemble. Steadily leading the more than 50 players of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Tunick made sure that Sondheim’s luscious score — famously composed in 3/4 time — has never sounded better. Indeed, his enhanced orchestrations are rich and delectable, adding layers of wistfulness and other thoughtful nuances to a score that already shimmered (in addition to the delicate subtlety of Tunick’s work, may I also add that the Act One closer “A Weekend in the Country” has never been more rousing). With the luxury of additional strings and winds players, this A Little Night Music downright sparkled from an orchestral perspective, making a strong case for the inclusion of this wonderfully crafted piece in the classical music repertory.

As for the performances by the starry cast, they were uneven, at least during Thursday’s opening night. Particularly under-rehearsed and/or mis-judged were the performances by beloved American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham as Desiree Armfeldt and Tony-winner Shuler Hensely as Carl Magnus. As Frederik Egerman, Ron Raines gave a sturdy performance, while stage and screen star Cynthia Erivo stopped the show with “The Miller’s Son” in an otherwise beguilingly unconventional reading. Best of all were Kerstin Anderson as Anne Egerman and Ruthie Ann Miles as the Charlotte — both gave assured, inspired performances all around (their superb rendition of “Everyday a Little Death” was the evening’s gold standard). Rounding out the cast were Addie Harrington as Fredrika Armfeldt (perfectly charming) and Marsha Mason as Madam Armfeldt (amusingly wry).

RECOMMENDED

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC IN CONCERT
Concert
David Geffen Hall
2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Through June 29