Reviews

Sunday, 11 November 2007—The Billings Gazette
Review of Billings Symphony Orchestra concert
By Cathy Ulrich

Guest Musicians Please BSO Crowd

CONCERT REVIEW

Billings Symphony Orchestra conductor Anne Harrigan wasn't in attendance at Saturday's concert, "Montana Virtuosos," but the audience didn't have a chance to miss her.

Guest conductor Laura Jackson, the assistant conductor and American conducting fellow of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, didn't waste any time. She took the stage and mere moments later, the rich sounds of Wagner's "Die Meistersinger" filled the Alberta Bair Theater auditorium.

She then introduced herself, earning applause and admitting this was her first trip to Montana. "There's so much vibrancy in your community," she said.

Vibrant was the perfect word to describe the highlight of the evening's performance, three guest soloists: West High sophomore Nicole Ficek, Bozeman's Helen Werner and Montana State University Billings student Ashlee Young.

Ficek led the trio of soloists with Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16." Resplendent in a maroon evening gown, the pianist displayed a maturity beyond her years. Ficek lent a delicate warmth to Grieg's concerto, a familiar song played differently by every pianist.

Werner, who performed with the BSO as a 13-year-old in 2003, then took the stage. Clad in a cerise gown with white petticoats, the cellist radiated an aura of music before she even played a note. She waited through the extended introduction of Dvorak's "Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104," her ear following the traveling melody. Then, cradling her cello against her chest, she began to play, her sound passionate yet tender.

Elegant in royal blue, Young was the last of the guest musicians to perform. A song of complicated runs and brief orchestral intervals, Liszt's "Fantasia on Hungarian Folk Themes" is a piece to clearly demonstrate a pianist's strengths - or weaknesses. Young had only the former on display. Entering with an understated, nearly subdued cadenza, her fingers flashed over the keyboard, seemingly effortlessly, leaving the audience in awe.

Each musician earned bouquets from fans and a standing ovation from the receptive audience.

Sounds impressive? That was just the first half.

The Billings Symphony Chorale joined the stage for the second half of the concert, a quartet of opera pieces: three by Verdi and one by Donizetti.

Verdi, a master of blending the human voice with wind and string instruments, was the perfect showcase for the considerable talents of the chorale and orchestra.

Published on Sunday, November 11, 2007

© Copyright 2007 Billings Gazette