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The New Philharmonia Orchestra Raises Community Music to a Higher Level
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By Phyllis Nordstrom
Newton Centre, MA, 2 May 2010. The New Philharmonia may be a community orchestra, but this is no ordinary community. Under the direction of Newton resident Ronald Knudsen, a highly respected member of Boston’s professional music community, the New Philharmonia, affectionately known as The New Phil, achieves an extremely professional standard of excellence. Guitar virtuoso and Newton resident Eliot Fisk performed as soloist in the program’s centerpiece, Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez to an enthusiastic audience of classical guitar aficionados and music lovers.
The program began with Danzas Fantastica, Op. 22, by Joaquin Turina (1882-1949). Rich, complex and colorful, this was an excellent lead in to the Rodrigo.
The blend of French impressionism and Spanish Folk influence portrays life lived at a higher level of intensity. The Spanish musical setting seemed entirely appropriate on such a hot afternoon.
The Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901- 1999) is without doubt the most famous and most popular of all works for classical guitar. Eliot Fisk brought virtuosity and personality to his performance. Fisk, who teaches guitar at the New England Conservatory in Boston, and at the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, was the last student of the great Andres Segovia. His guitar speaks with humanity and a personal voice. Juxtaposed against a rich orchestral accompaniment, the Concierto elevates the spirit. The famous Adagio is sublime yet heartrending. As it drifts quietly to its conclusion, one is never quite ready for the third movement. The feelings take hold, needing to be savored. But the bright, happy Allegro Gentile inevitably brings the listener present, and concludes on a pleasant note. Even so, the audience would not let Mr. Fisk go. He generously played three encores, including Bach’s Prelude in E major, and two works of Spanish composers, El Colibri (The Hummingbird), and Para Mi Corazon (For My Heart). El Collibri was stunning, the fingers moving across the guitar as quickly as a hummingbird’s wings. Para Mi Corazon, a much mellower piece, evoked a lugubrious Spanish afternoon spent under the shade of a tree. Fisk had dedicated this encore to his 8-year old daughter, Raquel, who being present in the audience jumped up on stage at the conclusion and hugged her father. Fisk carried her off the stage to tremendous applause.
The second half of the afternoon’s program was Daphnis et Chloe, Suite no. 2, by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The orchestra achieved the perfect aura of mythological landscape, originally intended by the composer as a work for ballet. With outstanding flute work by Bruce Falby, the audience found itself immersed within a dream world – colorful, visual, sensuous. Throughout the entire program The New Phil orchestra produced such a full and brilliant sound that it was hard to believe they were performing in a church. The apse of the First Baptist Church in Newton Centre is constructed as a wooden half-dome, which acoustically seems to act like a satellite dish, amplifying and focusing the sound toward the audience. Not only is the historic church visually interesting, but the sound is incredible.
The New Phil orchestra members interact like family at a Spring get together. It is an intimate yet professional group of highly accomplished musicians who truly enjoy making music together. Last weekend’s program was the last performance of their 15th season in Newton. With a mission of “Music for All”, the organization is a treasure, perhaps a bit hidden west of Boston, but well worth the travel time.
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