LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC

BY ED BRUCE edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

MORE GREAT STUFF !

Music Director and Conductor David Itkin remains one of my heroes and for lots of reasons. This is Itkins third as leader of the pack here in Las Vegas and I am now convinced he was the correct choice of the three who auditioned. Itkin appears at 715 for a pre game show and lecture...here one of the best ideas in music history by a man who stands at the top of the list of music historians. I am student of everything and wish to continue to learn and be informed about everything...Itkin fills the bill here on all issues...he knows everything and relates the music to come in common terms to help me enjoy whats ahead. Humor, history and technique included here for all to enjoy and lots of us do. Itkin introduced pianist Valentina Lisitsa who discussed her music here and a bit of her music knowledge (not minimal). Ms. Lisitsa was born in Kiev and here accent, her persona and her stature put even more class into the upcoming music program.

Not to omit Assistant Music Director Dr. Richard McGee who is another music genius and another of my heroes ! McGee knows all and if he doesn't he convinces me he does with his program notes and his style of related this information to me in the program. LVPHIL program always first class and I read every word...why wouldn't you ?

I had a swell evening...the pregame even started on time if not the concert itself.
Actually the pre game could go another 15 minutes with Itkin taking questions he is just so perfect for this event.

Oh...yeah...the concert...late of course...LVPHIL still one of the top treasures in the multi treasured city of Las Vegas !

Debussy (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)...9 minutes... this piece could lead off every concert...its a classic perfectly played here.

Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 from Ms. Lisitsa. I still am not crazy about the piano but I am making progressive positive inroads in enjoying this thanks to Itkin and Lisitsa. The piano always sits facing stage right (don't know why...there must be a reason)...anyway I tried to position myself 15 rows up stage left so I could see the hand work of the pianist....extremely cool move on my part. Lisitsa is a tall woman with long arms and long fingers and she was a terrific exhibitionist in her movements...to include 9 minutes of encore. Chopin composed his music for small venues and some fixing up and "unclutzing".... according to Itkin was necessary for this piece. It all came off perfectly with the orchestra and Ms Lisitsa in expected first class form.

I still don't know a lot about the music but I know what I like and what I hear and its very good.

Usual awful endless intermission ....I managed to read 6 chapters of War and Peace !

Grieg Symphonic Dances, op.64 not often heard (except for this audience) a perfect conclusion to a perfect evening.

Next May 8 UNLV Ham Hall Masterworks V...A Night at the Opera 8 p m 895 2787 www.lvphil.com

90 A- too bad they can't start on time and get the A+ the musicians and conductor deserve.