I was remiss in not mentioning this sooner, but I caught the debut performance of the Hugh Keelan Ensemble on April 27 and was completely enthralled.
In a program I described as equal parts food for the mind and the soul, the ensemble filled the Hooker-Dunham Theater with a delightful program of lush, romantic, older classical music and ambitious newer pieces — all performed by a great mix of musicians that included performers well known to classical audiences and those familiar to fans of other genres.
Certainly, a highlight was Delius' "On Hearing the First Cuckoo of Spring," but Tan Dun's "Lament: Autumn Wind," a more challenging piece — for performers and audiences alike, was fascinating to take in.
Equally enjoyable was seeing the Hooker-Dunham stage crowded with 18 musicians — who'd have thought that many could fit. The sound was good, too. It turns out the Hooker-Dunham Theater is a great place to watch classical music.
Which is good, because the Hugh Keelan Ensemble will be back. There's a performance planned for the end of May and more in the works for later this year.
Hugh Keelan and his merry band made a promising debut with an innovative blend of performers and programming. Take a bow, folks.