Palmer notable in 9th Chamber Music offering

The ninth of the Chamber Music programs at Memminger Auditorium was mostly the Todd Palmer Show.

Palmer and his clarinet have been a regular feature of many of the last Spoleto Festivals.

Palmer also was on board as an arranger, contributing a down-and-dirty version of Aaron Copland's "Hoe-down" from the ballet "Rodeo." His partners in this were Tara Helen O'Connor on the piccolo, Stephen Prutsman at the piano, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

This was good clean musical fun with extra percussive effects: thigh slaps and very resonant foot stomps (by Prutsman).

Palmer's serious artistic side came to the fore in the Mozart Clarinet Quintet, K. 581, a beautiful late work of the composer's.

I have heard him play it before with the St. Lawrence Quartet and this was the best he has ever done.

His tone was absolutely glowing, and his technique assured, even when a technical glitch with his instrument required restarting the ethereal slow movement.

Geoff Nuttall provided an introduction to the work which portends well for his upcoming role as Artistic Director of this series. He speaks with loving care about the music, pointing out some of the major landmarks we should listen for.

The concert opened with a two-violin arrangement of an aria from Argentine/Israeli composer Osvaldo Golijov's opera "Ainadamar." The main part was taken by violinist Livia Sohn who has a particularly rich tone. Geoff Nuttall provided off-stage echoes and the accompaniment was sensitively handled by Prutsman.

I do not care for Golijov's rather pop-derivative music, but with performers like these the music is as pretty as can be.

This concert repeats today at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.