LINDSAY DEUTSCH Symphony Orchestra does a great job with Classic By Ralph Andrews, Correspondent The Summer Festival Symphony Orchestra concert, subtitled “Classical Greats,” took place in the Redlands Bowl on Friday Evening. Maestro Frank Fetta led the orchestra and brought along and enchanting young violinist, Lindsay Deutsch. The concert opened with Mozart’s Overture “The Impresario” – a fun piece with a lot of possibilities for excellent dynamic expression which the orchestra took advantage of. Like most Mozart overtures, it bounced along merrily to its conclusion. Fetta took it at a fast pace the way it should be. The soloist took her place for excerpts from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” She played them with fire and ice and everything in between showing great contrast. Since the excerpts were summer and winter, they depicted a muggy, hot, Venetian summer and in like manner the chilly Venetian winter where the cold cuts right through one. Camille Saint-Saens’ “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso”, Opus 28 enabled the soloist to take off and really fly. This piece is much more difficult than it sounds, but her impeccable technique and musicianship made it sound easy. A word about the soloist’s violin. It is a Sanctus Seraphin made in 1742 that is on loan from the Mandell Collection of Southern California. In Deutsch’s hands, it produced a rich, beautiful tone. Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8” concluded the concert. It is one of the even numbered symphonies that’s not supposed to be as good as the odd numbered ones. True, the odd number ones are played more often, but that does not make them better. No. 8 is full of good humor and is supposedly the last humorous work Beethoven wrote. The first movement galumphs along like someone trying to do ballet wearing combat boots. The second movement depicts Maezel’s metronome. It goes along with a steady tick-tick-tick-tick, pausing only to be wound up with a raucous RRRRRR!!!!! The third movement, a classic minuet, has a clarinet solo that goes umpteen ledger lines above the staff. It could scream out at you, but Friday’s remained in control. The last movement is just plain wild. The sound system worked its magic making each note come out clearly and making the orchestra sound full and vibrant. If one is naming concerts, “Classical Greats” was a good one for this concert. CONCERT REVIEW “SUMMER FESTIVAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA” Redlands Bowl Redlands, CA |