CVCP First Concert: A Kinda Review

Did my Apple Watch just tickle my wrist and announce to me: “Loud Environment …. Consider moving to a quieter area or using hearing protection?” Such was the thunderclap of applause at the conclusion of the François Borne Carmen Fantasy yesterday.

You see, there was a concert at St. James this past Sunday. It was a resounding success. The new chamber music organization, the Colorado Valley Chamber Players (CVCP) brought the near-capacity audience to their feet.

Though the entire performance thrilled the audience, it was the piano/flute Carmen finale (the François Borne “Fantasie Brillante”) that brought down the house.

If anything, the event was almost too successful: since this concert was free, a gift to the community from the ambitious new organizers, the sanctuary filled before the 3 p.m. starting time.

I understand the organizers have addressed overcrowding possibilities: future concerts will be ticketed and therefore seating will be assured.

When I say organizers, I am referring to the Artistic Director Miles Gillette-Bockhorn, pianist, and Executive Director Isabelle Jamois, flutist, Sunday’s artists and founders of the CVCP.

Was it successful? Well, two unsolicited responses I received— and this from a pair of music professionals—was, “That was a world-class performance,” and “This was a Carnegie Hall-level experience.”

That’s when I decided my role would be to review the impact on the audience and community rather than the performers themselves. Their talent is beyond my scope. Their art needs to stand on its own, to speak for itself.

At one point in my college studies, I read a bunch of philosophy, because, well, I was all about chasing the big bucks in my youth. One writer on aesthetics theorized about the difference between a great artistic experience and a truly moving one. It’s the difference between spectating and participating, he said.

Appreciating Houston Symphony’s Beethoven’s Eroica is spectating. Oh, excellent spectating, for sure. But up-close watching an individual chamber player sweating beads over his cello or a twitching violinist in the throes of her arpeggio—that’s a kind of participation. One empathizes. Feels. Twitching in sympathy let’s say.

So, if you missed it, not to worry. You’ll hear all about it at the water cooler at work, or at your Lions or Rotary club luncheon.

The concerts in the series will continue this summer; this second one will also be at St. James, the “church of concerts” as some have dubbed it. Mark your calendar: Saturday, July 25. Violinist Matt Lammers is the guest artist playing with Miles at this one. Matt, as his Axiom Quartet website says, is a “core member of the Grammy-nominated Kinetic Ensemble … an adventurous chamber ensemble.”

Grammy level, huh? Ok: Not to be missed. One music lover suggested to me CVCP should invite the granting and sponsorship leaders of the county be given an upfront, personal seating at the next concert. Let them experience first-hand the grandeur and excellence of this dynamic new endeavor— an endeavor they can help make into an institution for our cultural persona in our community.

The takeaway? Folks, we have a major new cultural force in our community. It’s the CVCP. Let’s support and cherish it.