WesWinds Wow!

Hats off to Peter Hadley, music director and conductor of the Wesleyan Wind Ensemble. The 43-member aggregation (plus guests) played 5 pieces, 4 of them directly influenced by African American and absolutely rocked the house.

The high point of the evening was a sparkling and rollicking version of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", arguably one of the greatest pieces of 20th Century American concert music (that's the composer pictured above.) Guest pianist Jose Garcia-Leon, currently Assistant Professor of Music at the University of New Haven, was dazzling, truly capturing the composer's brilliant combination of European and African American influences. Yes, it's a "showy" piece but, played as well as it was tonight, the music is uplifting.

Other highlights included Garcai-Leon's wife, Coralie Gallet, lyric soprano and member of the voice faculty at Barnard College in New York City, delivered a splendid reading of Gershwin's "Summertime." Sans amplification, her voice still managed to reach those seated in the rear of Crowell Concert Hall, although the band covered some of her lower notes.

The program's final piece, David Holsinger's "Abram's Pursuit", an extremely percussive piece, was nearly as exciting as "Rhapsody.." and very impressive for how well the musicians navigated the rhythms and the frenetic melody line.

Next time you see a listing for a WesWinds concert, make sure to go. You can't beat the price (free admission) and the music Hadley chooses for the group is almost always excellent.

Welcome to the Weekend

Lots to do in the area this weekend so here's a quick rundown.

The Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents its annual production from Friday through Sunday in the auditorium of Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, 370Hunting Hill Avenue in Middletown. "Patience" is a satire of the "aesthetes", most notably Oscar Wilde, that was one of the duo's longest running shows. Much of the bite is lost on contemporary audiences but the music is excellent and, as always, CG&SS does a fine job of recreating the "scene" at London's Savoy Theater. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as 2 p.m. on Sunday. For ticket information, call 1-800-866-1606. 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to St. Vincent dePaul Place of Middletown (and Mayor Giuliano has pledged matching monies from the City.)

Phoenix Theater, a troupe based in East Hartford, presents "The Rocky Horror Show" over the next 2 weekends at Lidia's Reception Hall, 54 Washington Street, in Middletown. It's a marvelously goofy and campy show that combines science fiction with an improbable love story and does so with tongue placed firmly in cheek (but not in check.) Performances are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday October 24 and 25 as well as Halloween Friday night (10/31) and Saturday November. There are 12midnight shows planned for all but Opening Night. For ticket information, call 860-291-2988 or go to www.phoenixtheater.us.

The duo of Tiffany Du Mouchelle (soprano) and Stephen Solook (percussion, voice), otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, plays a free concert at 2 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of The Russell Library, 123 Broad Street. Their music encompasses Broadway, World music, classical standards, folk songs and more. Both have impressive resumes and their work together and alone has been acclaimed by audiences and critics throughout the country. Seating is limited but the music is worth seeing and hearing. For more information, call 347-2528, extension 135.

The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, presents Vange Durst & EV3 at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Vocalist-lead guitarist Durst writes the majority of the material and is ably abetted by Deb Piccolo (drums, percussion) and Michael Kurjan (keyboards.) Their music has touches of folk, rock, world fusion and more than a hint of funk. The lyrics are, at times, sassy and biting but always emotionally "real." The intimate performance space is a great way to hear this music. For more information, call 860-347-4957.

The Present Day Composer

Tuesday July 29 at 12:10 p.m., the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan welcomes the prolific composer and author David Amram. He will deliver a talk in Crowell Concert Hall with the title "Global Folkloric Roots: Source of Inspiration for Classical Composers." There is no admission charge.

In a country that tends to categorize its composers, Amram, born in 1930, has had a long career defying categorization. He's composed soundtracks ("Splendor in the Grass", "The Manchurian Candidate"), operas, Broadway scores, religious works, jazz oratorios, concertos, and symphonies. He's appeared onstage with Dizzy Gillespie playing jazz and with Willie Nelson at FarmAid playing country music. He has collaborated with artists such as the poet Langston Hughes and playwright Arthur Miller. His latest work, "Symphonic Variations on a Work by Woody Guthrie", was auditioned in February 2007 (prior to its World Premiere last September) when Amram came to Wesleyan to conduct the University Orchestra.

The composer is also an accomplished musician (French horn, piano, flutes), an author of 3 autobiographies (including one that details his working relationship with Jack Kerouac), a farmer, and performer. He's currently collaborating with author Frank McCourt ("Angela's Ashes") on a musical history of New York City.

As you can see, David Amram does not sit still. If you can, take time out from your busy day to meet this most fascinating person.