Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents The Triumph of Hope
Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra; Jason Alteri, director
West Monroe High School Rebel Choir; Greg A. Oden, director; Kristen Anderson Oden, accompanist
Military Wives Choir; Paul Mealor, composer/conductor; Rob Young, director; Kathy Kenny, accompanist
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
May 27, 2016
To kick off the Memorial Day Weekend, Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) scheduled two concerts to commemorate the occasion. The first, on May 27, 2016, was called The Triumph of Hope and featured the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra, the West Monroe High School Rebel Choir, and the Military Wives Choir from the United Kingdom.
Taking the stage to begin the concert was the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra from Reno, Nevada, “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Led by Jason Alteri, the orchestra offered three works, the New York premiere of Solis by Amanda Harberg, a movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, and the 1919 suite version of Igor Stravinsky’s L’Oiseau de Feu (The Firebird).
Solis opened their set. In the words of the composer, “The title Solis refers to the sun-like brilliance communicated in the work’s climax.” Things got off to a rocky start, particularly some nerve-induced intonation problems in the trumpet solo that opens the piece, but this issue abated as the jitters wore away and the players settled in. Solis is an interesting and effective work that I do hope to hear again. Ms. Harberg was in attendance and appeared to be pleased, so one should take that as a cue.
Violinist Natasha von Bartheld hurried off the stage, only to return in a bright red dress for her featured role as soloist in the Bruch. An abridged arrangement of the Finale’s Allegro Energico was offered. Ms. von Bartheld played with flair and confidence, tackling the technical challenges with apparent ease; this talented young lady has great potential for the future. The razzmatazz is there, but I’d like to hear her project her sound more, which might be helped with a higher-quality instrument. In any case, she can be very proud or her fine work. The orchestral support was excellent, and erased some of the reservations I had had earlier.
Ending with the Stravinsky, all traces of nerves were gone once and for all. I could almost not believe the difference – this was playing brimming with confidence and energy. If I had not known any better, I would have thought I was hearing, at the very least, a college-level ensemble. The audience rewarded the ensemble with a loud ovation. Congratulations, Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra, for a job well done!
The West Monroe High School Rebel Choir from Louisiana, led by Greg A. Oden, took the stage next. There were no notes or texts about their selections included in the printed program, which to this reviewer is an inexplicable and inexcusable omission. It is hardly common knowledge that the text for their first work, Williametta Spencer’s At The Round Earth’s Imagined Corners, comes from John Donne’s Holy Sonnet 7! The hard working young performers deserved better, as this administrative gaffe has an effect on the audience’s understanding and enjoyment of the works. Thankfully, the product was better than the packaging, as this ensemble showed great depth and maturity in their performances. Highlights were Mark Hayes’ Grace, and Moses Hogan’s showstopper Elijah Rock. Special recognition goes to Bailey Young for her solo in Schubert’s Kyrie from the Messe in G, as well as to oboe soloist Paige Freeman and vocal soloists Rhett Finley, Olivia Myers, Kayln Clifton, Caroline Counts, Kelly Cole, Cara Ramos, Jace Cascio, Caleb Norman, and Scott David in Song for The Mira from Allister MacGillivray.
After a short pause, the Military Wives Choir took the stage. Composer/conductor Paul Mealor, himself a rising star in the choral world, told the audience about the history of the organization. Consisting of wives, mothers, sisters, active duty soldiers, and widows, the Military Wives Choir is a means for these women to join together as friends, as mentors, and as a mutual support system for what can be an uncertain and stressful life often overlooked by society in general. As Mr. Mealor stated, The Military Wives Choir now has twenty-six groups throughout the United Kingdom. It would be something beneficial for our own here in the United States.
These ladies are all heart, and it shows immediately. They are giving their all and loving every single moment. The audience was completely won over, and in spite of my best efforts to remain the hard-nosed, emotionless critic, I was won over as well, in about twenty or so seconds. They even made me enjoy U2’s With or Without You, a song I have never cared for at all! Their song set spanned from World War I’s Keep the Home Fires Burning to the World War II classics, The White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again, pop and Broadway works, and the World Premiere of Paul Mealor’s This Song of Mine. Each selection held special meaning about war, service, and separation. For a complete list of songs, click here Program Notes.
After the last song, Stronger Together, the audience gave these wonderful women a richly earned and deserved standing ovation. Kudos to the soloists, Beth Joy, Alison Nuttall, Louise Forbes, Kirsty Ann Johnstone, Giselle Fitzsimmons, Joanna Grant, and Larraine Smith. An encore of Stronger Together, with the singers joined arm-in-arm and hand-in-hand, was a fitting close to a wonderful night.
