Music Reviews

Nov 18, 2007 - Violinist Anne Akiko-Meyers and the Reno Philharmonic make exciting music together

By Jack Neal

Violinist Anne Akiko-Meyers made a return visit to at least one of her scenes of triumph Saturday night (11/17/07) and Sunday afternoon (11/18/07) at Reno’s Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. It was yet another occasion when the violinist and the Reno Philharmonic, as conducted by Barry Jekowsky, made thrilling music together. And that’s what “Encore! Encore!” seasons, at their best, are about.

The vehicle for this very special music making was Barber’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. Akiko-Meyers, perched high atop the ladder of young concert violin talents, played the volley of notes that makes this gorgeous work so full of challenges, while never forgetting the heart of the matter - and there’s just lots and lots of heart this ultra rapturous piece.

Technical abandon is what dazzles, but it’s Akiko-Meyers’s introspection that made her interpretation so very special. Virtuosity provided the violinist freedom to express with soul, as well as excite with athleticsm as she managed with ease every craggy peak and daunting slope the work provides. A formidable accompanist, Jekowsky commanded his forces in a glued-to-every-turn collaboration that was as exciting as it was eloquent.

Once again, Jekowsky presented a concert of vivid coloration and grand design designed to please. In addition to the Barber, the concert sailed through the thrilling adventures of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, and Mussorgsky’s monumental “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Solos abound in the Rimsky-Korsakov and no one disappointed. Concertmaster Ruth Lenz was especially impressive. A virtuoso in her own right, she plays with assurance and a full, rich sound. Jekowsky and the orchestra were no less adroit. Capriccio Espagnol is loaded with moments that can elicit conductorial bombast. Bombast was resisted for a glowing reading of exotic storytelling in music that was impressive for its restraint. This is flamboyant orchestral writing and the Reno Philharmonic brought it off with flair to spare. David Ehrke (clarinet), Mary Miller (flute), Neil Tatman (oboe), Martina Roznitovsky (harp) each had splendid moments to shine and shine they did.

Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” orchestrated from Mussorgsky’s piano score by Maurice Ravel, is another marvel of symphonic storytelling. A walk through a gallery of Hartmann drawings and watercolors, “Pictures” is hardly as pastel as the subjects suggest. It’s a work of raw power strongly influenced by Russian folk and church music. Jekowsky captured the mood of its ten sequences for a dramatic performance of intensity and passion. Mussorgsky’s ability to imagine the sounds of each painting shines through in “The Old Castle,” where a haunting alto-saxophone (nicely managed by Paul Roth) takes listeners on walk along ancient halls. Kudos, also, to trumpeters Paul Lenz and Dwayne Hollenbach for their exceptional work. The Mussorgsky’s grand finale, of course, is the “Great Gate of Kiev” - an irresistible finale, filled with irresistible touches of excitement in an all together irresistible presentation.

Not irresistible enough for maestro who pulled out all stops for a very heated, very fast, Russian Sailors Dance encore. Not to be outdone, the sold-out crowd got its exercise with one standing ovation after another.
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Bravo for the pursuit of excellence through the irresistible.

This Reno Philharmonic program was performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Saturday, November 17 (2007) at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 18 (the performance reviewed) at 4 p.m. Next up for the Reno Philharmonic is the orchestra’s “Spirit of the Season” concert starring Toni Tennille at the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 East Second Street, Reno, Nevada, Saturday, December 1 (2007) at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 (2007) at 2 p.m. For information call 775-323-6393.