Opening Fall in Caramoor: I hear strides, here come The Knights

Caramoor is a special place. A place where the crowd gathers and grows in order to get high quality entertainment. That is exactly what I have received there. In this particular occasion, the situation was not an exception. The Knights Orchestra, a very well thought and built musical organization, was the attraction of the place last Sunday, September 26th 2010. The Knights put together an uncommon program with pieces of Ives, Saint Saens, Ljova, Golijov, Schubert, and a Mideastern Traditional piece. The opening with "The Unanswered Question" was a challenge for a more conservative audience; the distribution of sounds coming from three different points of the Venetian Theater was unexpected and, as so, it generated a sense of "surprise" among concertgoers. A surprise that seemed to be part of Ives' stylistic approach.

The Cello Concerto No. 1 by Saint Saens brought to scene a sensitive and worldwide well known performer and artist: Yo-Yo Ma. The incursion of Mr. Ma in this concert was more than engaging. The engagement of the audience was stronger because this combination, of The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma, went beyond the purely commercial, beyond what it simplistically performing and arrived into passion for the musical art and melodic notes that they could bring to the air based on the creation of a master.

The composition "Garmoshka", by Ljova, is a sensitive masterpiece and it seemed to be more than that when the composer was in the audience and the orchestra acknowledged their personal-professional relationship with him. This piece, full of feelings, complete in emotions, and obviously dedicated to a special relative was made a flourishing and progressive firework when the orchestra made the release of the full melody. I wish I'd listen more music like this and in person in my life as a music guest. These days, we are living in a world of ambitions, and some times full of mediocrity where anti-art and art get together to give nothing but just distance and some non-respect for the human thought. A piece like Ljova's is definite in touching, with the finest and magic bar, the soul and its sensitivity. This is a piece to listen to again and again.

The symphony No.3 by Franz Schubert had to be in this program to profile it as it was; with the conjunction of all instruments in the most delicate precision and with the most delightful tunes.

The end of the official program was another huge surprise. It also made of the human soul an infinite and almighty power. The marvelous history of the piece "Ascending Bird" arranged in a non-mensurable creative style and with a truly special sense of art by Mr. Colin Jacobsen, is an invitation to connection among human beings. No need of social e-networks, no app recently discovered, no electronic program can bring such cleaning of the spirit as this work as it was presented this day. It reminds that the human being is able to enjoy the joy of life and the connect the dots of the creative power as it is in the details, in the air, in the traditions, and the differences in folklore. This is another piece to be heard again to pay more attention in the details.

The Knights closed the program with an anchor, and that I choose no to describe here because some things as to be seen or heard in person to please our sense of hearing with real live connection. This orchestra has its own style and that is important in these days in this world. The conductor Mr. Eric Jacobsen is moving with large strides and seems to know the next steps ...