Music Reviews

Jul 10, 1999 - Reno Phil's Pops on the River: An Inspired Evening of Music

By Jack Neal

Playing its best Pops on the River concert ever, the Reno Philharmonic - under the assured leadership of conductor Barry Jekowsky and blessed with the inspired singing of Cami Thompson - let caution fly to the winds last night (7/10/99) at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater for one terrific under-the-stars celebration of music and high good times.

It was Jekowsky's first Pops on the River and once again the conductor let everyone within earshot know there's a maestro on board who knows what he's doing. So far in his nearly year-long tenure, Jekowsky not only can do no wrong, he's done no wrong. Musically speaking, on a warm, mildly breezy, gorgeous Reno summer night, everything went according to the maestro's plan for a community celebration that's taken on the homey ambiance of an old fashioned box social - for something over 2000 partying fans.

There's no point dwelling on why lovely little Belle Isle - the portion of Wingfield Park that houses the orchestra's annual outing - is not conducive for hearing the musical portions of a major event, such as Pops on the River, all the way back and over the crest of the hill. But bad sightlines (the orchestra needs to be elevated about five feet on a portable stage) has a lot to do with losing way-back members of the audience to the vagaries of conversation and yet another glass of wine.

But besides the inability of some to hear the subtleties of the program, what fun it all was. Over two-hundred tables, most of them elaborately decorated (Judge Mills Lane, Mayor Jeff Griffin and TV's Ronda Bentley did the judging - see below), over 2000 people, many of them flamboyantly costume, a terrific river setting, a massive camaraderie of seeing old and meeting new friends added up to an evening of unadulterated fun. Bob Carroll was the program's personable emcee. And there was also, of course, the music, which - under Jekowsky's planning and baton - took on a luster heretofore (in these parts) only imagined.

Lush orchestrations wonderfully played, tuneful pieces given the spit-polish of a smartly disciplined symphony orchestra, and the superb song stylings of Cami Thompson made this year's Pops on the River notch in at sensational.

The program's movie theme, sans the explosions and general mayhem now in vogue from America's dream factory, was an apt reminder that some good things are coming out of Hollywood. Two lovely Alan Menken songs, "Colors of the Wind" from "Pocahantas" - splendidly arranged by Danny Troob, and "Part of Your World" from "Little Mermaid" - equally splendidly arranged by Howard Ashman, were given loving treatment by Miss Thompson, with able assists by Jekowsky and the orchestra, with exhilarating results. Thompson sings with the clarity of a Barbara Cook, the range and control of a Cleo Laine, and the emotional impact of a Lena Horne. There's no denying the sincerity of Thompson's matchless articulation and the depth of her seamless shifts of mood in all she sings - Cami Thompon is a superb singing actress. In addition to the Menken songs, Thompson sang a haunting "My Heart Will Go On" ("Titanic") and a soaring "Somewhere out There."

Rich orchestrations made so much of Saturday's program ever so much more listenable. "Wide Missouri" and "Turkey in the Straw," both Carmen Dragon arrangements (father of the Captain of Captain and Tennille fame), went for the voluptuous orchestral sounds for which Dragon is so well known that just happen to fit nicely into Jekowsky's penchant for sculpting musical colorations into swashbuckling sweeps of symphonic sound.

The blues-based and swinging "Ellington Fantasy" was ultra rhythmic, suave and captivating. Rossini's Overture to "William Tell" of Lone Ranger notoriety was given a powerhouse reading (only the fast portion was used, a nice bit of slicing for an out-of-doors crowd). And, of course, the obligatory playing of Sousa's "Stars and Stripes," as conducted by the orchestra's outgoing, outgoing board president Joanne Coy, was given a thoroughly fresh, thrilling and patriotic performance. The orchestra's principal clarinetist, David Ehrke, grooved and Benny Goodmaned his way through Gershwin's jazzy "Walk the Dog." Pianist James Winn finessed his way through the nostalgic "Feather Theme" from "Forest Gump."

The concert's curtain raiser was Morton Gould's "American Salute." With its brilliant illusions of Americana oozing from every pore, and with John Williams' concert-closing "Raiders March" from - what else - "Raiders of the Lost Ark" resounding across Wingfield Park, Reno's box social with music was as much a smash musical hit as it was a blast of a good time.

It was also a bit bittersweet. During the let's-dance-to-the-music-of-the-Reno-Phil portion of the program, Barry Auman, the orchestra's classy manager who helped make so many fine things happen here (including originating the phenomenally popular Pops on the River), was seen dancing cheek-to-cheek with his wife, Lynn, one of the orchestra's violinists and successful conductor of the Reno Phil's Youth Orchestra. It was the Aumans', who are leaving Reno, last chance to dance with the orchestra they've been so instrumental in creating.

It was just another of Saturday night's beautiful moments.

For other Reno Philharmonic events and summer concerts (eight more in various venues around Lake Tahoe) call 775 323 6393.

(Table and costume winners for the Fifth Annual Pops on the River: Most Elegant - the "Black and White" table, Most Outrageous - the "Victoria Secret" table, Most Creative - the "Sheet Family" table, Most Historic - the "Shakespeare in Love" table, Best of Show - the "Clueless" - after the movie - table.)