A Fine ‘Invocation’ From New Century Players

Microtonality, using scales that slalom between the 12 notes of the standard western scale, is one idea whose time has never quite come, at least for the general public. That’s not for lack of sincere effort, or even emotional warmth in the music, as evidenced Tuesday night at the Japan America Theater. The CalArts New Century Players, in an entry of its Musical Explorations 2000 festival, served up Ben Johnston’s microtonal “Invocation” as a centerpiece in a Green Umbrella concert.

Soprano Jacqueline Bobak articulated its winding text over an ensemble that bravely maneuvered in “extended just intonation.” For the microtonally intrigued but still agnostic, the effect was that of deliciously, persuasively broaching a taboo. It was played twice, for good measure, and it sounded great, both times.

This program brimmed with contrasts, brainy notions and few moments of easy listening. The sweetest work, no doubt, was James Fulkerson’s ephemeral Guitar Concerto. Founder of the Dutch group called the Barton Workshop, which recently performed in Los Angeles, Fulkerson’s work called upon the ensemble to issue very soft long tones--and overtones--while the guitar “soloist” (Stuart Fox) plinked harmonics or gently scraped the wound strings. In all, it was transfixing, a painterly wash of timbres that defined its own structure as it went.

Violinist Mark Menzies met the challenge of Roger Redgate’s cerebral-yet-raucous “ . . . of Torn Pathways,” egged into a frenzy by percussionists David Johnson and Eli Shapiro. Ruth Lomon’s dissonant, color-conscious “Iatiku” charmed via odd instrumentation, including harp, harpsichord and bass clarinet. And Stephen Hoey’s emotionally mercurial “Artifact,” a solo piano piece played boldly by Bryan Pezzone, signaled a strong compositional voice.

Last but not least, jazz-cum-new-music figure Vinny Golia’s “E,plemiste” was a thorny score for a mid-sized ensemble. Befitting Golia’s stylistic restlessness, echoes of Carter and Zappa ran through it, as did themes masquerading as riffs. A fitting finale to a catholic evening.