The Intelligencer: David Simon

Imani Winds Brings Virtuosity to the Rockport Chamber Music Festival

Last Sunday, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival came to a close with a mesmerizing performance by the Imani Winds quintet at the picturesque Shalin Liu Performance Center. The evening's program featured an impressive array of musical compositions, including works by Samuel Barber, Valerie Coleman, and Jeff Scott, as well as new arrangements of Igor Stravinsky's iconic 'The Rite of Spring' for wind quintet.

From the opening notes of their performance, it was clear that Imani Winds is a group like no other. With a virtuosic ensemble that is both immaculately tight and stylistically agile, they effortlessly navigated the complex rhythms and melodies of Jeff Scott's 'Start Somethin,' a deconstruction of ragtime music that is at once visceral and intoxicating.

The quintet's performance of Samuel Barber's Summer Music was equally impressive, with Toyin Spellman-Diaz's wild solo on oboe serving as the centerpiece. The group's emotional interpretation of this beloved piece was marked by a deep sense of musical dialogue and a stirring sense of rhythmic drive.

One of the evening's highlights was the performance of Valerie Coleman's Afro-Cuban Concerto, which the quintet had rearranged for wind quintet alone in partnership with the New Haven Symphony. While some of the tempos were slightly faster than intended by Barber, Imani Winds' conviction and emotional connection to the music made up for any minor discrepancies.

The group's commitment to their craft is evident not only in their technical proficiency but also in their ability to engage with their audience through thoughtful comments about the music they perform. Rockport Artistic Director David Deveau noted that he had first heard Imani Winds play over 10 years ago and has been bringing them to the festival ever since.

As the final concert of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Imani Winds' performance was a fitting conclusion to a weekend of exceptional music-making. With their remarkable virtuosity, commitment to their craft, and passion for the music they perform, it is clear that Imani Winds is simply the best wind quintet out there right now.

Intelligencer david simon