Glen Cortese conducts the WNYCO as they perform his arrangement of Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde.”
Photo courtesy of Melissa Rechin / Photo Editor
COURTNEE CESTA
Assistant Reverb Editor
More than 115 years after it was first composed, Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” was given new breath, this time on a smaller scale fit for Rosch Recital Hall. The Western New York Chamber Orchestra artistic director and conductor, Glen Cortese, was commissioned by the Octavian Society in Hong Kong to arrange two versions of the piece: one for small ensemble and the other for chamber orchestra — the latter of which was publicly performed for the first time last weekend here at Fredonia.
Cortese’s adaptation differs from the original mainly by instrumentation. The challenge was taking a large orchestral piece and scaling it down, orchestrating it for a smaller chamber ensemble.
“Arranging this piece was based on experience and trying to make the arrangement sound as close to the original as possible … to preserve as much of the sonic qualities of the original with much smaller performing forces,” Cortese said.
Therein raises questions of “what are the most important lines and voices?” and “what phrases are kept and which are eliminated?”
Cortese created a version of Mahler’s work that sustained the authentic, lavish sound of the original.
“At times it sounded like it was a full ensemble,” said Carl Lam, member of the board of directors for WNYCO. “Cortese’s arrangement of the piece preserves the finésse of Mahler’s original composition.”
Whereas most WNYCO performances involve a large symphony orchestra with full instrumental sections, last weekend highlighted a much smaller ensemble, featuring a handful of School of Music Faculty. The concert, called “The Song of the Earth” after the English translation of the original title of the featured piece, also featured two guest vocalists, one of which many Fredonia School of Music students know very well: voice professor Lynn McMurtry paired with guest heldentenor Marc Deaton, who received his title for his outstanding ability to sing the music of Wagner. He is highly sought after in his home in Europe.
Cortese is an accomplished composer and arranger, both of which take a lot of time and devotion. As conductor of WNYCO, he has the benefit of hearing compositions played live shortly after they are finished, giving him time to reflect on the final product and make any changes. Most of the time, though, Cortese explains that he does not often utilize the ensemble in front of him during the writing process.
“When you compose and arrange music you do hear things in your head, but it is great to know that you will have a live performance,” Cortese said. “Most times what I write or arrange stands the way I conceived them, but sometimes small adjustments are made when you hear them live.”
Cortese has also premiered works in popular venues such as Carnegie Recital Hall and Manhattan School of Music. He has previously been commissioned by WNYCO, Oregon Mozart Players and Colorado Springs Philharmonic among others
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