Music Reviews

Jul 24, 1999 - Phantom and Philharmonic at Tahoe-Donner

By Jack Neal

Former "The Phantom of the Opera" star Davis Gaines joined forces with the Reno Philharmonic for the orchestra's annual outdoor pops concert on the fairway of the Tahoe-Donner Golf Course. The concert was part of this summer's Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival.

When Gaines sang Saturday night (7/24/99) before more than 2000 enthralled listeners, if anyone had ever wondered how a person becomes a musical theater star, Gaines quickly set aside any doubts about talent being the principle ingredient. This young man has it all: charm, presence, good looks, a fabulous voice, stellar musicianship, and - he can act.

From a grooving "I've Got You Under My Skin" to a poignant and dramatic "Music of the Night," the phantom's soliloquy of loneliness and love, Gaines simply could not have been better. The chameleon aspects of his voice and demeanor are uncanny. He becomes what he is singing, both physically and vocally, with neither being overdone. It's never flattering to compare singers, but Gaines's general sound is not unlike that of Johnny Mathis. But that's just a vague starter, when trying to describe his extraordinary gift for singing. His lead-in to "Somewhere Out There," a whimsical "I see the moon, the moon sees me," took on a haunting out-there-somewhere quality, as did the entire song, that's only fathomable by hearing Mr. Gaines sing and not describable by the written word. Whatever the intangibles are that are so elusive to describe, Mr. Gaines' talent for captivating singing is something to behold. A soaring "This is the Moment" and an unforgettable "Ol' Man River" only added luster to the singer's already impressive star sheen. .

Impressive also was the accompanying of the Reno Philharmonic under the firm leadership of its conductor, Barry Jekowsky. Jekowsky's theme for the evening, "Music from Stage and Screen," was somewhat another matter - a bit too long on the music of John Williams, a noteable film composer whose music in large doses begins to sound too much the same. Length of the concert was also an issue. A program with at least one John Williams suite too many, the shakily performed "Love Theme and March" from "Superman" would have been best left unplayed. Part of the problem - the Williams tribute of four suites came late in the program - is the dampness of the outdoor Tahoe-Donner venue. When the sun goes down in the high Sierras, it's awkward for an orchestra to play its best in the cold night air. Intonation became a gnawing problem, particularly in the French horns. The inability for the orchestra to hear one another, outdoor acoustics and a strange at best sound amplification system, undoubtedly took its toll.

Much of the orchestral portion of the program was rhythmically unsettled, an ingredient that kept the orchestra's tribute to Duke Ellington off balance. The evening's early-on things, suites from Bernstein's "West Side Story," Disney's "Mulan" (music by Jerry Goldsmith) and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music," were given their due - workmanlike to more elevated than just casual readings.

The orchestra's best moment came during one of those tucked-into-the-program pieces. Gershwin's "Promenade" for clarinet and orchestra, with clarinetist David Ehrke doing the honors and doing them very well, was just as it should have been: jaunty, flippant and fun. Jekowsky's theatrics during the Suite from the "Phantom Menace," hand-to-hand combat between conductor and Darth Vader (with Jekowsky winning), was a with-it and welcome diversion from the norm, even for a pops concert. It's nice to have a maestro on board who's so uninhibited he mixes music with vaudeville. .

This is Barry Jekowsky's first season as conductor of the Reno Philharmonic. He's a find for the orchestra and is making great strides at putting the orchestra on America's musical map. Given the high expectations Jekowsky's talent and connections have encouraged, Saturday's concert was a minor disappointment - largely good but not overwhelmingly terrific. With Jekowsky in charge, it's my guess even minor disappointments won't happen often.

The concert will be repeated in part tonight (7/25/99) at 8 in downtown Reno on North Virginia Street in front of the Eldorado. Davis Gaines sings. Jekowsky conducts. Those attending are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets. For future Reno Philharmonic events call 775 323 6393. For ticket information about Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival events call 530 583 3101.