Music Reviews

Feb 26, 2008 - The Oscars fall flat compared to the Reno Philharmonic's big show starring pianist Jon Nakamatsu

By Jack Neal

While the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was presenting Oscars for achievements in the movie business Sunday afternoon (2/24/08), conductor Barry Jekowsky and the Reno Philharmonic presented an epic show of their own fit for the Cinemascope sweep of a big Hollywood epic.

Compared to the downer themes of this year’s Best Picture nominees, Sunday’s outing at Reno’s Pioneer Center was decidedly upbeat.

Opening with Beethoven’s exhilarating “Leonore” Overture No. 3, the work’s thrilling sense of freedom never fails to excite when it’s presented with the impassioned deliverance from oppression Beethoven intended. Impassioned deliverance is exactly what it got from Maestro Jekowsky and the Reno Philharmonic. This excellent orchestra rises to the top whenever it gets a chance to paint mood and visuals through music.

The passion for freedom as heard through Beethoven’s ears is always compelling, but never more compelling than with this brilliant overture. The “Leonore” No. 3 is actually a symphonic poem with a life of its own. It’s a life that was completely realized by Jekowsky and company. The off-stage trumpet work was impeccably brought off by the orchestra’s principal trumpeter, Paul Lenz.

On this return visit by Jon Nakamatsu, the pianist was better than ever and he was superb when he soloed with the Reno Philharmonic in 2004.

This time playing Rachmaninoff’s difficult Piano Concerto No. 3, Nakamatsu’s interpretation was as rapturous and virtuoso as one is likely to hear. With technique to spare, a sense of taste that kept things in balance, and with a-heart-on-their-sleeves willingness to pursue the concerto’s love affair with Romanticism, Nakamatsu, Jekowsky and the orchestra delivered with warmth, flamboyance, and moments of subtle reflection. This voluptuous, dynamic concerto is reminiscent of the 1946 Hollywood Technicolor love-in, “I’ve Always Loved You,” featuring the music of Rachmaninoff. Who can resist such lush music making? The performance was in all ways irresistible and triumphant.

And there was more.

Respighi, a terrific orchestrator, is at his most colorful with “The Pines of Rome.” “The Pines” is pull-out-all-stops music that never fails to elicit an enthralled audience reaction. From the breeziness of the Pines of the Villa Borghese, through the serenity of The Pines near the Catacombs and The Pines of the Janiculum, to the orchestral splendor and overwhelming sonic power of The Pines of the Appian Way, Jekowsky’s dramatic reading was sumptuous and Cecile B. De Mille (movie lingo for epic stuff) in every way. Jekowsky’s “Pines of Rome” is indeed big-picture stuff. Kudos to clarinetist David Ehrke, pianist James Winn, harpist Beverly Colgan, flutist Mary Miller and English hornist Marianne Maytan for close-ups of exceptional solo playing.

The orchestral encore in this “Encore! Encore!” season was John Williams’s “Liberty Fanfare.” It did not disappoint. Mr. Nakamatsu’s encore was by Franz Liszt. It did not disappoint. Neither did either encore discourage multiple standing ovations from a very large and tremendously enthusiastic audience.

The Rachmaninoff was dedicated to the memory of Jack Fegely. The Respighi was dedicated to the memory of Gilbert Lenz. Both loved music and devoted much time, energy and financial resources to the Reno Philharmonic. The superior quality of the orchestra is in no small measure due to the their efforts.

The concert was repeated Tuesday, February 26 (2008).

Next up for the Reno Philharmonic, and Barry Jekowsky’s final series of concerts as the orchestra’s conductor and music director, will be Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Sunday April 27 at 4 p.m. and Tuesday April 29 (2008) at 7:30 p.m. All Reno Philharmonic subscription concerts are played at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-323-6393 or go online at renophil.com.