LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC + PINE

BY ED BRUCE edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

THERE IS LOTS OF GREAT STUFF ON THE STRIP EVERY NIGHT....BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS !

I REMAIN SO VERY PROUD TO SAY I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS WHERE WE HAVE THE LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC !

TONIGHT IT GOT EVEN BETTER !

PRE SHOW (7 MIUTES LATE)... CONDUCTOR DAVID ITKIN DOES A PRE SHOW TALK AND USUALLY BRINGS ALONG THE SOLOIST...TONIGHT HE BROUGHT ONE OF AMERICAS TREASURES !

Can't believe I have lived this long and never heard of Rachel Barton Pine until tonight.

The pre shows continue, if possible, to get better and better and better...I love the history and nuances of the music and this information helps me enjoy the concert even more. Tonight, Pine came out, grabbed the microphone and immediately took over with her history, her charm, her personality, her playing and that ever special twinkle in her eye. I sat in row four and she looked me right in the eye and explained the evenings gig and her part in it....so sensational to hear from a genius like this and then she proved it with her artistry...more to come here.

The idea of these pre show talks is the best decision since they put slot machines in the bar. NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR ME.

Tonights program all selections that played at the highest level to my listening ear.

Aaron Copeland....Appalachian Spring Suite...relatively long 21 minute opening number to offset the shortness of the following selection. This a traditional music piece for ballet that plays well for orchestra as a popular selection unlike most other pieces for ballet. Nice look from the fourth row to see the various instruments working, especially the harp and strings...I have not heard this one enough times yet.

Alexander Glazunov...Violin Conccert in A minor, Op 82...Rachael Barton Pine violin... aheadliner on any card anywhere any time. Pine had already won me over in the pre show and while I remain partial to any violin concerto (Tchiakovsky's in particular) I had not heard this one before and it leaps to the top of any list. Pine with strong emotional efforts fires out the delicate solos in exhilarting fashion. The music a perfect blend of solo violin and orchestra as previewed in the pre show and this displayed in its entirety. This, 21 minutes of heaven.

After her two standing ovations Pine returned in my favorite colored purple gown to fire out some Paganini that included a pre piece talk about gambling, Las Vegas and the music...she did this with the same poise, delivery and class with which she played...no microphone, perfect delivery and sincere charm. This 36 year old virtuoso has already conquered the world, she is spokesperson for music, foundations and education while playing into her current world tour, she has the world at her feet and after all this she appeared in the lobby to sign autographs...I wish I could have taken her home and have her play for me every day.

Short 16 minute intermission.

Robert Schumann ....Symphony no.3, Op.97 E-flat major, Rhenish.

Conductor Itkin said this was his favorite and wished he could play it every year...32 strings, 7 cellos, 7 bass....46 strings how can you go wrong. I said after Pine that Schumann has a big job following that...he did....I retreated to the top row of the balcony for the symphony sound I like best...I got it.

In his opening remarks Itkin said the magic number is 126....days remaining until the Philharmonic moves to the Smith Center...I remarked..."I don't want to go"...the guy next to me said "me either".

The Ham Hall on UNLV campus here remains the ultimate venue for me and while I wish the Smith Center well, I fail to be able to project anything better...Ham could not sell out this magnifcent performance for 2200 ?

Started on time.

103 A+ A+ A+