Suburban Symphony Orchestra @ Severance Hall 11/15/09

Any organization that makes it to 55 years is entitled to celebrate in a big way. But having two reasons to celebrate made for an even more wonderful idea! The Suburban Symphony Orchestra is now in its 55th season of concerts in Cleveland, and this year marks Music Director Martin Kessler’s 30th in that position. So, they pulled out all the stops and had a musical party at Severance Hall. And we (the community) were invited!

Everyone talks about the benefit to Cleveland from supporting the Cleveland Orchestra, and that’s absolutely true. No quibble. But the orchestra also supports the community in ways not always readily apparent. The growth of smaller orchestras in a given area is just one area in which this influence is felt. Many of the musicians in the Cleveland Orchestra are married to other musicians, who may choose not to try out for the major league, but be just as happy in a minor one. Check the rosters of the various smaller orchestras around town (professional and non-pro)—and you’ll find many familiar family names. These musicians also want to play, and form a strong nucleus for other groups in the area.

The SSO has long benefitted from having as concertmaster a violinist from the Cleveland Orchestra. Originally it was Bernhard Goldschmidt, currently it’s Emilio Llinas, except that he couldn’t play this particular concert with the SSO, as his ‘day job’ required him to be in Akron with the rest of the musicians. Still, Erica Ward filled in, and did an admirable job of it.

The concert opener was the Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein. This is an exuberant, effervescent, over-the-top piece of music, and it needs to be played just that way. Maestro Kessler led a brisk, exuberant and effervescent rendition, honoring the syncopation and many rhythmic quirks, putting everyone in a happy mood.

More American music followed: a Concert Suite from Porgy and Bess, by George and Ira Gershwin. Two area singers, Brian Keith Johnson and Marian Vogel, definitely have this music in their hearts. Plus, each of them is a superb actor, as was apparent as they sang multiple roles: Mr. Johnson was Jake, Porgy and Sportin’ Life, while Ms. Vogel was Clara, Serena and Bess. The overture, which utilizes a lot of percussion received a bright and sassy reading, taken at a fierce pace. The seven vocal selections that followed were just awesome, as was the cello solo (played by Adris Koh) at the beginning of the Love Duet.

Ms. Vogel displayed amazing diction throughout, and somehow managed to project a languid image that was infused with energy (all at the same time!) in Summertime. Mr. Johnson walked around the podium to join her for a stunning and powerful rendition of the Love Duet featuring among other things, Bess You Is My Woman Now. There’s a Boat That’s Leavin’ had them doing a choreographed sashay (in their smallish space) that easily conveyed the joy they felt to be leaving Catfish Row.

After intermission, there was a presentation to Mr. Kessler, who then made the announcement of a newly-endowed chair to honor the memory of, and long years of service to SSO by Carol Boyd, long-time principal bassooon, and active member of the orchestra. Robert Conrad, president of WCLV, was the master of ceremonies for the concert.

The closing work was a biggie: Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. It’s a dramatic work, full of tension. Principal clarinetist James Patterson distinguished himself with meltingly lovely solos throughout the first movement. The Andante Cantabile that begins the second movement strikes terror in the heart of every French Horn player anywhere. It’s a gorgeous—if fiendishly difficult—piece of music, but the instrument is treacherous and duplicitous. Principal Susan Allen performed it magnificently, with emotion and steadiness. I’m certain there are many professional orchestras in the country that would be pleased to have soloists of such high quality within the ranks of their membership.

During the third movement waltz, it seemed as though the tension of the moment was getting the better of some of the players, as tempos lagged and intonation wandered just a bit. The march that ends the work apparently brought them a second wind, however, as evidenced by the full, rich sounds from the lower register of the various string sections. The brass then joined in, followed by the winds and timpani, and it all ended in a blaze of triumph.

Experiencing the intensity with which the members of the SSO perform, it’s easy to forget they’re not really full-time professional musicians.

The Suburban Symphony Orchestra presents an entire season of concerts each year. There are three performances remaining in this celebratory season. For information, call 440.248.8341 or visit the web-site: http://www.suburbansymphony.org

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, who writes: My most recently published book is Ardenwycke Unveiled (e-book and trade paper). Cerridwen has another contemporary romance from me, But Not For Love, currently available only as an e-book, but perhaps will be in print next year. I hope to soon get around to completing some of the 30+ incomplete books in my computer!

By the way, Cerridwen has also accepted two of my short stories in their Scintillating Samples (complimentary reads) area: Song of the Swan and Unexpected Comfort. I love photography as well, as you can see here. Occasionally I teach writing workshops and sometimes do editing or ghostwriting on a free-lance basis. But over and above everything else, there's always been the writing. I can't imagine my life without it.