Art of Time Ensemble – Shostakovich: A Portrait

reviewed by Paula Citron
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Shostakovich: A Portrait
Art of Time Ensemble
Artistic Direction by Andrew Burashko
Featuring R.H. Thomson (introduction) and Peter Mettle (film) and Andrea Nann (dance), and 15 musicians
At the Enwave Theatre
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As conceived by artistic director/pianist Andrew Burashko, Art of Time Ensemble mounts cleverly themed, multidisciplinary programs. Shostakovich: A Portrait was premiered four years ago, and absolutely deserved, at least musically, the polished revival it was given this past weekend, prefaced by actor R.H. Thomson’s passionate introduction to the composer’s dysfunctional life.

Multidisciplinary collaboration came with Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2, and featured live dancer/choreographer Andrea Nann and an abstract film/live image mix by Peter Mettler. While each of the separate parts was quite haunting, the components never quite gelled together. The dance and film felt superimposed rather than integral to the music.

The eclectic program began with a beautiful folksong-like guitar duo from a Shostakovich movie score. The very dark bookends were Quartet No. 8 and the piano trio. In the middle was the whimsical Jazz Suite No 1, featuring some of Toronto’s best jazzsters conducted by Robin Engelman.

Burashko’s strength lies both in assembling top flight musicians and stimulating the audience.