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News > The Reno Philharmonic opens its new season with two superb, lyrically rich performances
The Reno Philharmonic opens its new season with two superb, lyrically rich performances September 12, 2005 Sep 12, 2005 Northern Nevada symphony fans are lucky people. If the two spontaneous (and deserved) standing ovations at Sunday's (9/11/05) matinee concert are a sign of exciting concerts to come, Reno's concert season is off to a splendid start. With so much anguish in the world, Reno Philharmonic audiences are blessed with an exceptional symphony orchestra; brilliant woodwinds, velvety brass, impeccable percussion, plus a conductor - Barry Jekowsky, just beginning his seventh season - who knows how to get a shimmering Philadelphia sound out of the orchestra's strings. To make matters even better add to the mix for the orchestra's two season-opening concerts a superb guest artist, pianist Jean-Philippe Collard, who brings a dextrous French lyricism to Rachmaninoff's very Russian Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. All that and heaven too with a translucent performance of Saint-Saens's majestic Symphony No. 3, his so-called "Organ" symphony, and the in-memoriam shadow of the fourth anniversary of the tragic happening in New York on September 11, 2001, added poignancy to goose bumps for a memorable in-memoriam event. A major ingredient impacting the emotions surrounding the concert was the contribution to the Reno Philharmonic by the late Jack Fegely. These opening concerts are dedicated to his memory. It was the orchestra's and our very good fortune to have this champion of great music happen onto the Reno scene when he did. With infinite good taste, wise political judgment, and generous amounts of his own money, Mr. Fegely spearheaded the acquisition of an administrative staff that knew (and still knows) what it is doing that led to the search for and signing of Barry Jekowsky. The rest, as that old cliche goes, is history - and a Reno music-lover's dream. Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto was one of Jack Fegely's most loved works of music. In a true Fegely fashion his wife, Doloris Darden Fegeley, and daughter, Helen Fegely Wessling, have underwritten Mr. Collard's appearance for these two opening Reno Philharmonic concerts. (The concert will be repeated Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.) Mr. Collard's secure (and dazzling) technique and controlled use of temperament (he knows what he wants and quietly gets it) makes his approach to the Rachmaninoff one of the most revelatory and exceptional experiences extant with this popular concerto. There isn't a moment when his inspiration or Rachmaninoff's lyricism lags. What could be the mere fun of technical fireworks from more exploitive hands and a foolish heart, with Mr. Collard rapturously and subtly plays to the concerto's warm-blooded passion for melody. With this pianist that passion never wants, nor does it become gluttonous. Mr. Jekowsky and the orchestra follow suit for a gorgeous collaboration. As a balance, the less warm-blooded but by no means less triumphant Saint-Saens is the Rachmaninoff's perfect program partner. From the concerto's heart-on-the-sleeve rhapsodic nature to the Saint-Saen's let's-keep-our-passions-in-check elegance, Mr. Jekowsky and orchestra shifted gears without a hint of stress for a rendering of vivid coloration. And vivid coloration is what Reno Philharmoic audiences have come to expect from their orchestra's maestro. In matters of composition Saint Saens made a fetish of correctness. If balance, clarity, proportion, close attention to detail, and music that had to "sound good" is what Saint-Saens' music is about - and it is - then all those attributes are carefully and beautifully sculpted by Mr. Jekowsky and just as carefully and beautifully played out by the orchestra. Yet there's nothing cautious about the interpretation. The orchestra's take on the Saint-Saens is wonderfully elastic (voluptuously phrased melodic lines), stunningly glued together in one grand epic sweep, and tremendously exciting. Art Johnson is the organist. Saint-Saens, one of the world's greatest organists, would approve of his impeccable work. The concert opened with "The Star Spangled Banner." Given the day of rememberances as well as a new beginning for a new season, it not only thrilled, it was entirely appropriate. It was especially moving that Mr. Collard joined the orchestra for our national anthem. There's a message to that gesture that's more than symbolic; a reminder of the traditional friendship between France and the United States that once again joins our people together through the humanity of music. All Reno Philharmonic MasterClassics concerts are performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. The next pair of MasterClassics concerts will be Oct. 9 and 11, 2005, and will include De Mars's Two World Concerto featuring the native cedar flute artistry of R. Carlos Nikai and Dvorak's Symphony No. 8. For information about Reno Philharmonic concerts, tickets and other Reno Philharmonic events, call 775-323-6393 |
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