The Young Peoples’ Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 89th season. The programs are always well balanced and well played. Under maestro David Ramadanoff, the concert Saturday evening in the first Church of Berkeley scaled the heights. I always come away from their programs feeling delighted musically and educated.
As always, the concert began with a few chosen words by management and conductor David Ramadanoff. The concert began with one of the greatest luminary composers in the history of music – Hector Berlioz, who did for orchestras what Niccolo Paganini did for the violin. Truthfully speaking, Berlioz did it all and brought a new dawn to music. Many of the miracles he created were on display in his Le Corsaire Overture. The music itself is brilliant, but it helped that the YPSO musicians played it so brilliantly. In many ways, the
interpretation was a miracle. Our imagination was encouraged to take flight and it scaled the heights.
Conductor Ramadanoff, despite his many years. was inspiring – as he always is. Another thing that is always a pleasure is speaking with the parents whose kids play in the Orchestra. They are supportive in all manner. As a result, the concerts are inspiring.
The second piece on the program was Rhapsody Espanol by Maurice Ravel. He was another icon of musical inspiration and continued many of Berlioz’s innovations. But he did it in his own way. The colorful romanticism of Berlioz becomes the very essence of impressionism. In an instant, the orchestra changed its tone color. It was as if we were transported from “a romantic museum“ into “an impressionistic museum“. It is obvious that conductor Ramadanoff must take credit for this.
And the kids delivered. No histrionics – just good music making. These are a few of the things that I look for in performances.
What could possibly come next? How about a pillar of central European romanticism? The Orchestra again changed its tone colors as they recreated Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. There were times when the Orchestra reminded me of the Czech Philharmonic. It was their style of playing as well as their tone quality. In my opinion, their conductor is responsible for this interpretation. Give credit where credit is due.
In addition to being a pillar of central European musical romanticism, Dvorak must be considered a “creator” of American music. Thanks to him, American music developed.
Dvořák’s melodies to flow like a river. He hardly had time to write them down. His music has drama, as well as memorable melodies and always a sweetness. That’s part of what makes Czech music unique: Dvorak’s melodies always keep us guessing. Where is he going? The concert ended on a high note and everyone had fun.
