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Life & Arts

Dark humor, strings mesh harmoniously at Diverse Works

by RUTHIE RODRIGUEZ
The Daily Cougar 

The Gashlycrumb Tinies, part one of three, was performed by Two Star Symphony Orchestra, a handful of talented Houston musicians, Friday night in the intimate setting of Diverse Works, 1117 East Freeway. The original music, written by Houston's John Duboise, was inspired by Edward Gorey's gruesome children's alphabet book by the same name.

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is filled with Gorey's dark drawings and short verses corresponding to the deaths of 26 children in the event of strange happenings.

This presentation, including the first eight of 24 of Duboise's original arrangements, was performed by an ensemble who relentlessly delivered the piece's sinister undertones and intense strings while imagery of the book was shown in the background. 

The music for the third piece corresponded with the unfortunate event of "B is for Basil, assaulted by bears." Strangely enough, this selection proved to be the most light-hearted of all the children's deaths as it replicated somewhat of a marching band tune.

The song started with an upbeat solo by violinist Jerry Ochoa and continued with accompaniment by the other strings and Kirk Suddreath's energetic snare drum roll. Midway through the piece, the string melody broke and there was a twisted progression into darker undertones with spiraling woodwinds and an even deeper harmony by cellist Margaret Lejuene and violist Jo Bird. 

In "X is for Xerxes, devoured by mice" the mice scurrying around were portrayed by the string player's use of syncopated pizzicato while the sense of catastrophe in store was delivered by Duboise's rich clarinet harmony with intense accompaniment by Nina Saunders on oboe.

The story of Victor being squashed under a train was heavy in percussion and had an unfalteringly dominate viola role by Bird. The piece ended with a marimba solo by Cathy Power, which gradually changed tempo and intensity, giving it a spiraling effect. 

Bass enthusiast Chris Bakos held down a heavy bass line throughout each performance to add to the deeper undertones and more serious aspect of "J is for James who took lye by mistake," which was drenched in lengthy string solos. 

The concert ended on a downbeat with the misfortunate story of "Clara who wasted away."

Those who have an appreciation for lively string arrangements and dark humor should check out Two Star Symphony Orchestra's last weekend at Diverse Works, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for Diverse Works members and $6 for students and seniors. For more information, contact the box office at (713) 335-3445 or visit www.diverseworks.org. 

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