J. Todorov P. Yarbrough with Conductor P. Lenberg Sept. 22

MOZART THE SUBLIME IN UKIAH SYMPHONY'S CONCERT

Sublime was the word in the air at the Ukiah Symphony’s season opening concert Sept 22 in the Mendocino College Theater. Sublime in the event’s title and in the unfolding of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364, that occupied the concert’s first half.

Conductor Phillip Lenberg was joined by virtuosi Paul Yarbrough (viola) and Jassen Todorov (violin) in the three- movement work from 1789. In a reduced size orchestra of 23 players the conductor drew a warm contrasting sound to the splendid string duos, both playing from score over half an hour. Clarity of line is critical in a work with so much exposed contrapuntal themes, and both Mr. Yarbrough and Mr. Todorov were well matched in lucid phrasing and dynamics. The violinist’s fast trills never covered the viola line. Musical perfection, exalted partnership.

Finely calibrated crescendos and diminuendos characterized the lovely slow movement, the ensemble with the Orchestra seamless and everywhere inspiring, all in beguiling sonic balance.

String sound integration was again on display in the Presto finale, yet each artist had a distinctive sound and created subtle tiny ritards at the end of key phrases. Agogics (accents based on duration rather than volume) were discrete and telling. It was a joyful performance ending with a loud ovation, many curtain calls, and the best string virtuosity heard in the hall since Polina Sedukh’s Sibelius Concerto a decade ago.

Following intermission Mr. Todorov returned for Beethoven’s G Major Romance, Op. 40, a romantic idyll over nine minutes with efficacious double stop technique and Melissa Wilson’s fine flute playing.

Schubert’s Fifth Symphony in B-Flat Major completed the afternoon, the Ukiah players seated with the second violins stage left, and sounding as one in this lyrical bucolic music written in 1816. Anton Rubinstein called Schubert “Eternal Sunshine in Music,” and Mr. Lenberg made the most of the poetic balance in strings – four first violins, four seconds, four cellos - and a sprightly theme from oboist Beth Aiken.

The Ukiah Symphony is playing very well, seemingly making small but numerous adjustments from past seasons – more accurate attacks and releases, better intonation and increased richness of sound in each section.