LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC

BY ED BRUCE edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

On the Las Vegas Philharmonic flyer for their Diamonds are Forever Gala fundraiser April 10 the mission statement is..."The Las Vegas Philharmonic provides live symphonic music at the highest artistic standards of performance for the residents of Southern Nevada and encourages the development and appreciation of fine music among both young people and adults through educational programming and community service initiatives". Their words....thats what they do and just about right tonight !

Two pieces at the Ham Hall...everything to taste and these two were excellent !

Johannes Brahams Double Concerto for violin and cello, opus 102
Boy was this sweet...LVP Concertmaster DeAnn Letourneau, violin and LVP Principal cello Andrew Smith. They sit opposite against each other in the front row in the orchestra and tonight paired in front of the orchestra for this special piece of music. Three movements 40 strings on stage just lovely. I continue to sit in the last row of balcony at UNLV's Ham Hall where the sound is only perfect. You can close your eyes and just suck this up...beautifully played and even more beautifully composed.

Cesar Franck symphony in D Minor
Full orchestra 70 pieces, unique through history as it is Franck's entry to the "One Hit Wonder", categroy, as conductor David Itkin called it. Itkin addressed the audience before this piece with some appropriate comments which only help the music and the event...just the right time, timing and content.

Itkin now in his third year surfacing as one of my heros in music conducting, music selection and music education. Prior to kickoff at 715 Itkin does 30 minutes of music appreciation especially for me and others who may also wish to attend early. Itkin in the Obama, Churchill, Goodman and Burns category of hall of fame speakcers who put the right words together in the right fashion for the right purpose without ahs or stutters or pauses. I have 54 hours of college speech and love the eloquence to those whose communicate. Itkin at the top of the list in helping me become more familiar with music in general, music history and tonights classical program. Smith and Letourneau also contributed briefly in the pre game show helping me understand even more. For those like me wishing to learn, these pre show presentations are among the worlds greatest ideas.

Tonights concert on the eve of tomorrows big NASCAR race, how lucky for those of us in Las Vegas to enjoy these treasures....actually the same thing happened in Vancouver last week where we attended the Olympic opening ceromonies and caught the Canadian National Ballet the next day.

So many symphonys to be heard so little time...got two good ones tonight !

This not perfect.... LVP saw fit to start 12 minutes late...never acceptable...thus they lose 12 points off the top of their score...Johnny Mathis had exactly the same problem to the minute. Still trying to understand the 22 minute intermission...the total score 34 minutes dead time out of the heart of my life only 76 minutes of actual string time tonight (even as good as it was kind of short). In reflection Letourneau played for Johnny and the Broadway singers here this year...she stands out at as the top violinist in Las Vegas...don't quit now DeAnn I want more.

Still love the Ham Hall sound system and loathe the opening of the Smith Center in 2012 which can only equal this, never top it.

More More More LVP March 6... same venue, POPS lll Broadway A La Carte, Rogers and Hammerstein music from South Pacific and Hermann music from Hello Dolly...strings with vocals...highly recommended. LVP presenting its Diamonds are forever Gala fundraiser 10 April at the M Resort and Casino 258 5438 x 221.

Tonight 87 B