Music Reviews

Jan 18, 2005 - Angel Romero's spellbinding evening of music with the Reno Chamber Orchestra

By Jack Neal

Advanced publicity being what it sometimes is, just so much hype, can lead to major disappointments. Not with guitarist Angel Romero. Romero has a reputation for musical brilliance and it's a reputation that's well placed. If he isn't the world's finest classical guitarist, he's very close to it.

Not since Andre Segovia appeared in concert in Reno decades ago have Northern Nevada audiences had the opportunity to hear the kind of superb guitar artistry Romero displayed Saturday night (1/15/05) at Nightingale Concert Hall.

As guest soloist and guest conductor of thc Reno Chamber Orchestra, however, Romero was much more than a celebrated guitarist. That he demonstarted a sensitive and highly lyric approach to all he played was to be expected. That he also conducted with the same precision and nobility of spirit was a major plus. Romero conducted one of Reno's most musically rewarding concerts in memory.

The program of Vivaldi's Guitar Concerto in D major, de Falla's "El amor brujo" - featuring soprano Katharine DeBoer - and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 was exciting listening on all counts.

The Vivaldi was exquisitely brought off. Romero's virtuosity blended seamlessly with his exceptional musicality for a very special encounter with Vivaldi's glittering style. That Romero played the Vivaldi brilliantly came as no surprise. That he conducted with that same brilliance did come as a surprise, and a pleasant one.

His affinity for de Falla's "El amor Brujo (Love the Magician)," with its intoxicating sounds and rhythms of Spain, provided Saturday's sold out audience with a drop-dead gorgeous performance. Romero's romantic fling with the Beethoven was the grand "grand" finale for an evening of exceptional music making.

Romero uses his penchant for precision, his instincts for drama, and his love of rapture to splendid effect. He conducts with lots and lots of rubato, but it's never overdone. What must have a rollercoaster ride for the Reno Chamber Orchestra, which played robustly and quite wonderfully throughout, was on the audience's side of the footlights nothing less than thrilling and exciting.

Mood was the name of the game, especially with the de Falla. Katharine DeBoer, an exceptional soprano and singing actor, sang with the earthy attitude of a cigarette girl protecting her male turf. Don't fool with me she seemed to sing in a smoldering vocalization. Romero's equally passionate conducting brought out all of the nuances in de Falla's orchestration with vivid splashes of color. DeBoer's and Romero's was the rich re-creation of music that made the de Falla dance.

The Beethoven was no let down. From the symphony's somber opening through its dazzlingly fast finale, Romero did not let an opportunity for a handsomely turned phrase pass his notice. Yet this was no stretched-out-of shape reading, but a performance of great warmth and sincerity. Beethoven would have been pleased.

The Reno Chamber Orchestra's next subscription concert, on Saturday, March 12, 2005, will feature the music of Mozart, Bernstein and Shchedrin. With violinist William Preucil and conductor Theodore Kuchar. All Reno Chamber Orchestra subscription concerts are performed at Nightingale Concert Hall, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775 348-9413.