A Charitable Approach to Verse and Old, New Works

The poetry of Lucille Clifton, the late music of Schumann and Brahms and a premiere from locally based composer Mark Robson written especially for the occasion combined into a satisfying and apposite concert benefiting Long Beach’s Memorial Breast Center Monday night in Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall.

Part of the CSU Summer Arts Festival at Cal State Long Beach, the concert featured the program’s director, clarinetist John Laughton, in the leading role, participant in all of the performances, save one.

That was Clifton’s quietly dramatic reading of poetry from her upcoming collection “The Terrible Stories,” which is inspired by her own struggle with breast cancer. Stark and direct, with titles such as “Scar,” “Lumpectomy Eve” and “Amazons,” the poems nevertheless are brightened by hope. Clifton, a much published poet and children’s author, also read from her “Book of David” while Laughton accompanied with simple folk-music impulses and ended with “Amazing Grace.”

Robson’s new “Dances and Dirges,” for piano, cello and clarinet, delivers on its title, three dances and two dirges interspersed. Drawing on a number of mid-century styles--including, most surprisingly, the Brazilian period of Milhaud--Robson has fashioned an attractive and accessible work in an expanded tonal harmony, juxtaposing reflective and rhythmic musics. The touch is light, the craftsmanship strong; neither cloying sentimentality nor cliche make appearances in its fluid 20 minutes. Though its aims are modest, it’s easy to like.

Written when Schumann was in his final mental decline, the neglected “Marchenerzahlungen,” which opened the concert, shows little distress. It is an emotionally poised and likably tuneful work. Brahms’ symphonically proportioned Clarinet Trio rounded out the program. The performances, by Laughton, pianist Robson, violist Betty Hauck and cellist Matthias Naegele, were finely honed, sensitively phrased and exactingly balanced in this often difficult hall.