Choral Works Bring Harmony

Less Is More for Canadian Guest Soloist Guy Few in 
Trumpet Concerto 

by Diane Peterson
  
The Press Democrat, May 10, 2004

SANTA ROSA---A miniature Brahms masterpiece and the thorny "Spring Symphony" by Benjamin Britten served as choral bookends Saturday for the Santa Rosa Symphony's final concert program of the season.

Both works, which brought together an army of singers of all ages from all corners of the county, lent a certain symbolism to the springtime finale. For one evening, the community was clearly in harmony.

But in classical music as in life, less is often more.

A case in point: the singular talent of Canadian trumpet player Guy Few, who played Hummel's charming Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major with lustrous tone and understated phrasing.

He coaxed out each note with brilliant clarity and restraint, dropping them like perfect pearls along a string.

His secure command shone through in the virtuoso trills of the exquisite Andante and the high-spirited Rondo, which left both him and the audience breathless.

Dressed in a tight black shirt and black jeans, with a long leather jacket and leather boots, the flamboyant Few lent a polished presence to the stage, where he connected amiably with both orchestra and audience.

His extroverted nature provided an ideal vehicle for the humor and warmth of the Hummel work, and the orchestra under Music Director Jeffrey Kahane provided a crisp and lilting accompaniment.

In return for his efforts, Few received an enthusiastic standing ovation, in no small part due to the sheer joy he exhibited in playing his instrument.

After intermission, the symphony performed Britten's challenging "Spring Symphony" with three soloists, the Santa Rosa Children's Chorus and an honor choir consisting of the Sonoma County Bach Choir and the Santa Rosa High School Choir.

Based on texts about spring by several English poets, the meandering work is somewhat of an acquired taste, even for fans of the gifted 20th-century British composer. Perhaps for that reason, it is not often performed.

Still, repeated listening yields rewards, including an appreciation not only for Britten's talent in setting words to music but for his colorful and dramatic orchestration.

Saturday's performance was a solid one, with all the soloists exhibiting strong voices and excellent diction, especially tenor Alan Bennett. The orchestra lent impressive support, especially the woodwinds. Principal trombonist Bruce Chrisp doubled admirably on cow horn.

Although the sopranos' tone sounded a bit thin at times, the rest of the choir sang with fine tone and pitch, and the children's chorus stayed admirably focused throughout the 45-minute work.

Brahms' "Nanie," set to text by German poet Friedrich Schiller, is about the transitory nature of beauty. It opened the concert on a high note, with Kahane conducting without a baton. Like other choral works by Brahms, this little-heard work is reminiscent of the composer's grandiose German Requiem.

As a gift, the honor choir led by Santa Rosa High Choral Director Dan Earl performed a stirring encore: Morten Lauridsen's breathtaking "O magnum mysterium." Once again, Kahane put down his baton, this time to join the choir in song.

The Santa Rosa Symphony will repeat the Saturday program at 8 tonight at the Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. Tickets: $15-52. Call 546-8742.