Apollo’s Fire @ St. Paul's Church 11/4 Now, if only Jeannette Sorrell of Apollo’s Fire could be persuaded to plan another musical ‘bonfire’ for, say, March—we would probably all be ready for a warming trend about that time. She certainly did the trick for the first week of November! Who’d have thought that outdoor temperatures would hover near the 70°F mark at that time of the year?

But then, musical temperatures in St. Paul’s Church in Cleveland Heights were even warmer on Friday evening, when a group of brilliant musicians presided over the imaginary Mediterranean Nights ‘bonfire’. It was a treat that will not soon be forgotten. In fact, it could be repeated quite often without losing any of its charms.

In addition to planning the program and participating as harpsichordist and conductor, Ms. Sorrell was also responsible for arranging many of the selections. She was joined by guest artists: Nell Snaidas, soprano; Steve Player, guitarist and Spanish dancer; David Greenberg, violin and Danny Mallon, percussion, and for some of the larger numbers, members of the Apollo’s Fire orchestra.

Ms. Snaidas was eloquent and animated in her portions of the program. Her voice is clear and accurate in pitch, with a well-controlled vibrato. She used facial expressions, arm movements—indeed, her entire body—to convey the meaning of the words she sang, leaving no doubt about the meaning, whether flirtatious, scolding or amorous.

Mr. Player, on the other hand, was all liquid motion as he threw himself into the movements of the dance. He is amazingly limber, with flashing feet, sometimes stepping softly, at other times with stomping heels. He whirled and leaped with joyous abandon.

Mr. Greenberg is a regular participant in Apollo’s Fire concerts and never fails to delight with his impassioned renditions of the violin repertoire. His treatment of Vivaldi’s Autumn from the "Four Seasons" was extraordinary. It was individualistic, idiosyncratic, indulgent, and the most convincing performance of this work I’ve ever heard. I’d be only too happy to hear it again.

The final work, Ms. Sorrell's arrangement of the Boccherini Fandango for two harpsichords, castanets, strings, Spanish dancer and both Ms. Snaidas and Mr. Player on guitar, was a most satisfying conclusion to a wonderfully warming performance. There was an encore, something about ‘onions and bread’ which were the instruments of choice for Ms. Sorrell. Whatever it was, it was not only humorous, but marvelous!

For information about the next musical event by Apollo’s Fire—the Christmas Vespers of Michael Praetorius—call (216) 320-0012, or visit the web-site at: http://www.ApollosFire.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

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