Music Delights on a Dreary Day

Last Sunday’s dreary weather did not deter the warm audience reaction to the February 1st concert presented by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic (WMP) at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria. It was the first of two concerts in this series, the other will occur on February 8 at the Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C.

True to form, the orchestra played the premiere of a playful new work, “Sparkling Dialogue for Trombone and Strings” by Ross Wixon, written at the urging of the trombonist Bryan Bourne. Wixon, himself is a trumpeter and a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland. His compositions have been performed widely as his travels have taken him from China to Brazil. This work exploits the range of the tenor trombone, reminiscent of Italian vocal technique with wide leaps in the trombone’s range. It is truly a dialogue with the strings, at times joining the trombone, at times with the solo instrument. Bryan Bourne, a graduate of Indiana University, a former principal trombonist of The President’s Own Marine Band performs locally in orchestras of Baltimore’s opera and symphonic orchestras, as well as in chamber music groups. He has his own teaching studio in Alexandria.

The audience then was presented with two familiar, beloved and often performed works, Liszt’s “Les Preludes, “ S. 97 familiar to those who heard the Lone Ranger, and the Brahm’s Piano Concerto No.1, Opus15 in D minor, bombastic and a crowd favorite.

Notable was the pianist in the Brahms, Matthew Bengtson whose strong sonorities and dynamics were extraordinary. He and the orchestra had a wonderful synergy in this piece, which demands precision and nuance. Mr. Bengston performed on very short notice, substituting for an ill Thomas Pandolfi. An advocate of contemporary as well as rarely performed early music, he has recordings of Scriabin on the Romeo record label in which critics have compared him to Horowitz and Richter for his rich tonal colors and dazzling technique.

In addition to the orchestral treats for the audience, orchestra and audience joined in a tuneful birthday tribute to conductor Ulysses James.

Please join the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic for a repeat performance this Sunday February 8, 2015 , 3:00 pm. Thomas Pandolfi, having recovered from his illness, will perform with the Philharmonic as previously scheduled to perform Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1.

The Church of the Epiphany (DC)

1317 G St. NW

Washington, DC 20005

Visit WMPA’s Website for more information about this organization www.wmpamusic.org