not too much

Yet another concert by the ACO last weekend -- only fortnight after the last, with Pekka Kuusisto as Guest Director and a program on the theme of Serenade for strings: Arensky's Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky, Op.35a, Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances Suite III, Bartók's Rumanian Dances, and the Serenade for Strings, Op.48, by Tchaikovsky.Reviewing Kuusisto's successful tour with the ACO last year, one critic described him as, "A laconic larrikin with untucked shirt and demonic rhythmic sense", who "didn't so much play the violin as dance it." Well, this year all the ACO players wear untucked black shirts and Kuusisto again danced.The ACO's playing was, as always, excitingly superb. Though only seventeen players, this time all strings, they made a large, dynamic sound that filled the ears.But I had some reservations about the program. At 68 minutes in all, it was too short. Perhaps because of this, there was an encore -- the only time this year. (Kuusisto was applauded loudly and long.) The selection fitted together well and though 'easy listening' for the audience, the music was complex and not easy to play. Yet it felt like too much of the same. All the pieces were interesting, but the concert was saved by the more substantial Tchaikovsky serenade. It is so well known that it could have become just musical chewing gum, yet the strong, precise and simply interesting rendition under Kuusisto's direction made the Serenade engrossing.