Music Reviews

Mar 29, 2009 - For a grand finale the Reno Philharmonic names Laura Jackson its conductor, and Vance George conducts a festival of rhapsodic music

By Jack Neal

The big news from Sunday’s concert (3-29-09), the first of two final Reno Philharmonic concerts for the season, is that Laura Jackson will be the orchestra’s new conductor and music director. She is a superb choice.

Also big news is the sensitive work of guest conductor Vance George. George is one of the world’s leading choral directors and has worked with some of the finest conductors and orchestras in the business. In addition to the Reno Philharmonic, these two season-ending concerts feature the Reno Philharmonic Chorus, which is impeccably prepared by Jennifer Tibben-Lemke. Not all conductors know how to finesse vocalists. George has a reputation for getting the finest performances possible from singers. He most certainly does not disappoint.

Opening with a sparkling reading of Mendelssohn’s triumphant “Wedding March” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” George sets the stage for a festival of rhapsodic music that is as captivating as it’s beautifully played and sung. Three choruses from Mendelssohn’s great oratorio, “Elijah,” are exquisitely brought off. “He shall give his angels charge over thee,” “Lift thine eyes to the mountains,” and “He, watching over Israel, slumbers not” are in all respects impressively performed – as much a religious experience as an aesthetic one.

The songs of Brahms’s Liebeslieder Walzer were originally intended for performance at domestic singalongs. Fortunately, the very fine singing required is left in the capable camp of the Reno Philharmonic Chorus, where the witty observations of the rituals of desire are given a delightful Viennese lilt. With a complete turnabout, Brahms’s seldom heard Geistliches Lied strikes a deeply religious note. With Brahms, counterpoint typically emphasizes singing and that is the case with his Geistliches Lied. Brahmsian technique serves expression, and the message, “Stay strong, God knows best,” strikes the heart more deeply than technique soothes the intellect.

By having the chorus preview the songs Brahms borrows for his Academic Festival Overture, George, the chorus, orchestra and audience have a field day – and, at last, Brahms has his singalong. George’s presentation is rife with ceremonial grandeur and jolly spirits.

Bernstein described his Chichester psalms (number 3 is performed) as his “most B-flat-majorish work.” Whatever, it is wrapped in orchestral colors as bright as his psalm setting is extroverted. It’s managed with subtle, loving restraint. Four soloists – soprano Jennifer Tibben-Lemke, mezzo-soprano Patricia Miller, tenor Chris Nelson, baritone Gerald Heston – perform affectingly. An unaccompanied “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” is quietly rendered and quite thrilling. Thrilling also is George’s propelling of Bernstein’s final chorus from “Candide,” “Make Our Garden Grow,” into a glowingly transcendent experience in the impassioned manner of a Mahler symphony.

As an encore and a debut, Laura Jackson made her first appearance as the orchestra’s new conductor and music director conducting Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” March. How appropriate. How beautifully done. And what eloquent comments by Jackson to audience, orchestra and chorus. It was a superb conclusion to an exciting season.

The concert will be repeated Tuesday, March 31 (2008) at 7:30 p.m.

It must be noted that this exciting season was also a season without the guidance of a music director. All of the myriads of decisions and artistic leadership (not to mention the excellent screening of finalists to be the orchestra’s next conductor) fell into the lap of the orchestra’s executive director, Tim Young, and his staff: Francine Burge (marketing), Jane Raley (development), Grace Hutchinson (education), Asa Dakin (office manager), Mary Miller (personnel manager), Carol Laube (operations manager), and Amy Phillips (administrative coordinator). Bravo to all for jobs well done.

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 on line at RenoPhil.com.