An Inward Journey in ‘Tracking Inland’

Donald Crockett says that “Tracking Inland” can be considered on purely musical terms as an abstract septet, but the USC composer also confides that it has a programmatic scenario as an inward odyssey.

The new piece proved enticing from both perspectives in its premiere, Sunday afternoon at the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, on the final program of the Pacific Serenades season.

In its journeying aspect, the piece does have a palpable sense of motion and discovery, of unanticipated contours traversed with accepting wonder. It also seems to come full circle, or at least to a point of recognizable congruity.

In musical terms, this is a rounded, clearly articulated form, filled with motivic energy and instrumental color.

The acknowledged intimations of Ravel and Stravinsky are keenly felt, but without overwhelming a characterful and original work of expressive imagination and clean craftsmanship.

The composer introduced and conducted his piece, with fluent, balanced playing from flutist and Pacific Serenades artistic director Mark Carlson, clarinetist Gary Gray, harpist JoAnn Turovsky, violinists Roger Wilkie and Connie Kupka, violist Michael Nowak and cellist David Speltz.

This is the instrumentation of Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro, which capped the program.

Turovsky projected Ravel’s concerto-like harp part with bold panache, supported with passion and detail by the rest of the ensemble.

Separating these works was Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, sparked by Gray’s stylish eloquence and technical dazzle.

A workably professional, if undistinguished, account of Schubert’s Quartet Movement in C minor opened the agenda.

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* This program repeats today, UCLA Faculty Center, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 8 p.m., $25, (323) 660-7742.