Quantcast
MobileRJ | RSS Twitter Twitter FacebookFacebook E-mail Alerts
Home manage Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Living
Apr. 17, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Philharmonic performs a lyrical delight

By BARBARA HALL
REVIEW-JOURNAL
REVIEW

What: Las Vegas Philharmonic

When: April 14

Where: Artemus Ham Hall, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Grade: A-

Saturday's Johannes Brahms program, presented by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, was a spiritual, lyrical and intellectual delight. The orchestra's performance of interplays resounded in beauty and strength.

The evening opened with the dignified and melancholy "Tragic Overture." Richard McGee, the Philharmonic's assistant conductor, weaved a fast-paced and precise tempo amidst blocks of sound. The strings soared with lingering echoes of oboe and horn.

Most Popular Stories
  • HOME BASE: Family facing tough times gets big break from generous Realtor
  • FEAR AND LOAFING: Million Dollar Crybaby (Sparring Partner)
  • 40TH ANNIVERSARY: Moon landing taught us much about science -- and ourselves
  • Busting Out
  • HUMAN MATTERS: Jackson's journey through pathos a painful trip for everyone
  • THE VIEW FROM THE TOP: Life is tall and sweet, but cramped and expensive, in Strip high-rises
  • THE R-J GOES TO A PARTY: American Culinary Federation names 2009 chef of the year
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: Las Vegas native, 'Camp Rock' star a doll -- literally
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: Socialite Kardashian is reality shows' common denominator
  • TRIP OF THE WEEK: Southern Utah's high country explodes with color during wildflower season




    • "A German Requiem" was next on the program. Conducted by David Weiller, director of the UNLV Concert Singers, the composition featured soprano Olivia Gorra and baritone Zheng Zhou, along with the 100 voices of the UNLV Concert Singers and the Las Vegas Master Singers.

    Weiller, conducting one of the most challenging pieces of his career, rose to the occasion. After initial hesitation, he vigorously seized command, enhancing with superb vision the lush score and grand scope of the composition. The entire performance was glorious, yet disciplined. The orchestra, the soloists and the choruses performed with unaffected charisma.

    Gorra's voice soared. She was at times tender, at times eloquent. It was disappointing that we did not get to hear more from this outstanding soprano.

    Zhou's barritone voice was exemplary and perfect in restrained expressiveness.

    The evening ended with standing ovations, the audience presenting the entire performance a well-deserved accolade.

    Newsvine Digg Fark Technorati reddit StumbleUpon del.icio.us Slashdot Propeller Mixx Furl Twitter MySpace Facebook Google Bookmarks Yahoo! Bookmarks Windows Live Favorites Ask MyStuff myAOL Favorites

    Leave Your Comment 0 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.