Pacifica Tribune 6

Pacifica Tribune Review of The San Francisco Concerto Orchestra's Competition for Musicians of All Ages January 8, 2006 at Sanchez Concert Hall, Pacifica 

By Jean Bartlett
Arts Correspondent

Pianist-composer Seth Montfort is a genius.  This is the guy who is the founder and artistic director of The San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and National and International Competitions for Musicians.  And what he does is let individuals rated the best in class, compete for the chance to solo with his Orchestra.  His Orchestra is pooled (today consisting of about 30 individuals) from a list of over 500 professional musicians, many of whom are members of such Bay Area orchestras as the San Francisco Symphony, Ballet and Opera Orchestras, as well as the San Jose, Oakland and Marin Symphonies.  Montfort manages to inspire them to volunteer for a program he has in mind, with at most two rehearsals, and in the case of Sunday’s performance, one rehearsal.  (That’s the part I reviewed.) Why would these career musicians volunteer? Because a Montfort arranged concert is smart, inventive and challenging; and only for those musicians intimately acquainted with the very best of their instrument.

Along with signing up musicians, Montfort must provide the sheet music for everyone who sits down on his stage.  Undoubtedly a head count he is not sure of until the seats are actually occupied.  Working behind the scenes, often soloing on piano, Montfort also manages to hold normal conversations between pieces.  Now that is genius!

Starting with the rehearsal at 5:00 pm, and continuing with the 7:30 pm concert, Seth Montfort’s San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and guests played the Sanchez on Sunday.  The program was dedicated to the late Nathan Rubin, emeritus professor of violin, world famous musician and inspiration to many.

The rehearsal began with individual performers.  First up, pianist Josie-Pearl Whitfield and violist Joffria Whitfield (mother and daughter) played “Amazing Grace” for their friend Nathan Rubin.  Surrounded by floor lights of the New Year, Ms. Whitfield’s viola sang like a songbird spiritual while the other Ms. Whitfield stirred her keyboard in prayer and thunder stroll.  It was sugar beautiful and sublime.

Next up, vocalists Tom Orr, James Brewer and Kelly Ground, accompanied by pianist and music director Daniel Lockhardt, each took a turn under the stage light to bring us a story by Stephen Sondheim.  Sondheim is a curious writer, penning songs which demand an actor’s gift for drama but not necessarily holding the performer responsible for a lovely vocal.  Nice to hear in these three performers a talent which encompassed both skills.  Orr’s first song was a love letter of sorts which he penned to Stephen Sondheim. It was witty and full of good winks at Sondheim and Orr’s baritone was strong and steady and full of plush music.  Orr next brought us Sondheim’s “What More Do I Need” and “Everybody Says Don’t.”  Orr, nicely articulate, gave us Broadway.  From the Sondheim show “Merrily We Roll Along” James Brewer gave us the medley of: “Good Thing Going” and “Not A Day Goes By.”  Brewer has a raspy tenor, totally committed to celebrating Sondheim and at times quite capable of keeping pretty notes all aglow.  Kelly Ground sang “Sunday In The Park With George” from the musical of the same name and she was good, she was funny and this lady can sing.  She particularly showcased like a thrill when she and Brewer sang “Take Me To The World” (Sondheim) with the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra, conducted by Roberto Gonzalez.

Spanish born Pablo de Sarasate wrote the piece “Fantasie Caprice” and this piece was played by the Orchestra and featured Joseph Gold on violin; Roberto Gonzalez conducting.  This was impeccably dressed Spanish dance for violin and orchestra and Joseph Gold’s performance was shadow rich and free.  

Composer-conductor-organist Kurt Rapf wrote “Elegy From Concerto For Violin And Viola” and the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra, violinist Joseph Gold and violist Deborah Dare played it; Geoffrey Gallegos, conducting.  The piece is at times bravely melancholic; at other times, an old fashioned motion picture symphony.  Gold kept his listeners on the edge of reason with his sweet pearls of violin wisdom and Dare’s viola was starlit and gleaming.

Time running short, the rehearsal skipped Chopin’s “Andante Spianato” and surged right into “Grande Polonaise Brillante, Opus 22.”  Conducted by Roberto Gonzalez, pianist Seth Montfort soloed.  Again with no practice but the moment we would soon be hearing, Gonzalez joked: “In the great tradition of gorilla music making, by the seat of our pants.”  A magnificent partnership of elegant musicianship (the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra) and sculpted fingerwork (Montfort on piano) this “seat of our pants” orchestration was the complete indulgence of magic.

The final piece of the rehearsal was “Cappriccio Brillante” (Felix Mendelssohn.)  Conducted by Geoffrey Gallegos, the piece featured Annette DiMedio on piano.  An emotionally powerful pianist, with a superb sense of dazzle in both piano touch and performer shoes, DiMedio is focused, fluid and the frequent recipient of the standing ovation.  With the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra pulling colors and masterful technique straight from the heart this was brilliance in a rhythmic pulse.

Fresh, full and fabo, The San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and reigning guests set the Sanchez stage ablaze.  Come next Sunday (5 p.m.) for continued competitions and fireworks.

RAN PACIFICA TRIBUNE, JANUARY 10, 2006

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