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Southern Tier Symphony “Fabulous” in
French Season Finale
May 2008  

The Southern Tier Symphony, under the artistic direction of conductor/founder John Whitney, triumphantly closed their fifth successful season this past weekend with a program of audience accessible gems by French composers entitled the “Fabulous French.”  The first of their two concerts was held on Saturday evening in the recently renovated Wesley Chapel on the Houghton College main campus. This reviewer was in attendance.  The concert was repeated on Sunday afternoon in the Olean High School Auditorium.

The program opened with the Rakoczi March from The Damnation of Faust by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869).  Described by Dr. Robert Debbaut in the concert program notes as an “orchestral tour de force in miniature,” its powerful use of orchestral colors and sheer energy proved to be the perfect opener for this enjoyable evening.  The glitteringly resonant string section and the punctuating brass especially served up a wonderful “appetizer” for all that was to follow.

The Symphony in D minor by Belgium born composer Cesar Franck (1822-1869), claimed by the French as one of their own due to the fact that he was schooled at the Paris Conservatory, is considered by many as his masterwork.   A standard in the orchestral repertoire, the chromatic harmonies and unusual modulations pose their share of challenges to any ensemble embarking on a performance of this magnificent work.  The performance was full of its intended Romantic drama as it was masterfully interpreted by Maestro Whitney.

The Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld by German born composer Jaccques Offenbach (1819-1880), who was also schooled at the Paris Conservatory, is from what is probably his most famous operetta.  Based upon a satire about Olympian gods, this light-hearted work is always a delight for listeners of all generations.  Among the most outstanding moments was the lyrical violin solo performed by concertmaster, Kim Whitney, as well as the exquisite cello solo played brilliantly by principal cellist, Bryan Eckenrode.  Two other individuals whose masterful, though less obvious, performances added to the zest and richness of this delightful overture were timpanist, Moses Mark Howden and Jim Caneen on tuba.

The final two pieces on the program were the Pavane for a Dead Princess and the classic Bolero, both by French impressionistic composer, Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).  Once again, Dr. Debbaut writes that though the title of the Pavane “suggests a somber subject, the work itself is rather wistful and airish, almost as if the spirit of the princess is dancing before your eyes.”   Adding to the sensitive performance by the entire ensemble of this delicate masterpiece were memorable passages played by principal flutist, Julia Tunstall and harpist, Elizabeth Munch.

Bolero was an exercise in instrumentation and sonority written during Ravel’s student years at the Paris Conservatory.  A full seventeen minutes in duration, it is based upon a Spanish dance form and consists of a single theme passed amongst the instruments of the orchestra, as a snare drum relentlessly punctuates the bolero rhythm.  Percussionist, Paul Haag deserves individual recognition for his steady and extraordinarily precise snare drum performance throughout the entire duration of the work.  This audience favorite gradually built to a tumultuous finale and an exultant climax to this pleasurable concert. 

 The Southern Tier Symphony continues to be one of the treasures of our region for which area residents should be exceedingly proud and supportive.  This reviewer hopes their presence will be heard on our various concert stages for a great many years to come. 

-  Gary Stith, reviewer
(email concert reviewer at gary.stith@houghton.edu)

Southern Tier Symphony “Premiere Pops” 
By RICHARD G. FREDERICK
Special to the Olean Times Herald
March 2008

    Fans of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, and the Lone Ranger were treated to an exciting evening of music Sunday by the Southern Tier Symphony.

    Now in its fifth season, the Olean-based symphony under the baton of John Whitney presented a program of light classics and familiar tunes.

    The evening began with a spirited romp through Rossini’s “William Tell Overture.” The opening was all cellos, followed by cascading violins, thundering brass, and woodwinds trilling, all leading up to trumpets sounding the familiar theme, and it’s off to the races!

    The second piece provided a contrast. Don Gillis’ “Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera” is a quirky short piece with a plethora of twists and turns. The orchestra paid homage to Leroy Anderson, whose birth centennial is celebrated this year, with two tunes — “Blue Tango” and “The Syncopated Clock.”  The first half of the program also included a Gershwin medley from “Porgy and Bess” and a “Salute to Cole Porter.” Both medleys were arranged by the talented conductor of the orchestra.

    The second half of “Premiere Pops” featured a special treat for lovers of what some commentators have labeled “America’s classical music” — jazz. Mr. Whitney, an award-winning jazz pianist, led a trio through “Second Time Around” and “Stella by Starlight.” Dan Hull, a veteran Buffalo-area drummer, and James Kurzdorfer, the original bassist with the popular jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, rounded out the ensemble.

    The trio was also featured in the context of the orchestra in W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues March,” “Funky George,” a jazzed-up version of a familiar George Bizet theme, and the closing “Four Seasons Suite,” a David Wolpe arrangement for orchestra of four popular songs dealing with winter, spring, summer, and fall.

    That wasn’t all, of course. What is a pops concert without an encore? It would be like winter without snow in the Southern Tier.

    Mr. Whitney labeled the encore “The New York Fantasy.” Without giving away the secret of the finale, suffice it to say that it revealed another hitherto hidden talent of the evening’s maestro.

    The evening was full of surprises, and that should come as no surprise. The wonderful thing about a pops concert is that it’s supposed to be about unexpected themes and pleasant shocks of recognition. The music is never lugubrious but always light. The whole object is to have fun, and this extends to orchestra members as well as the audience.

    Of course, it helps to have great musicians in order to pull this off. And the Southern Tier Symphony has its share of those. The group has never sounded better.

    If the inclement weather kept you away from last evening’s performance, take heart. The same concert will be performed this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Pack up Granny and the kids and attend. It is definitely fun for everyone.