by: Jessi Hafer

There was much to be excited about at the April 21, 2007 Fresno Philharmonic concert, with the music of the evening high on that list. The concert was featuring cello soloist Mr. Lynn Harrell, and I am a self-proclaimed cello enthusiast. Though I was a little disappointed when I realized that he would not be playing in the first half of the concert, once the concert started, the pieces were so moving that I didn’t mind too much.

It was funny/a little awkward, actually, because people couldn’t figure out when to clap! When the first piece (Stravinsky’s Four Norwegian Moods) concluded, it wasn’t obvious it was over, so no one clapped for several seconds. Then for the second piece, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, the audience clapped at the end of each movement! Perhaps the audience was making up for lost time, or perhaps it was just well deserved. The Tchaikovsky piece was moving and haunting, and the Philharmonic played it beautifully.

That said, the second half surpassed the first. Mr. Harrell has quite a presence, entering with a big smile and really getting into the music before his bow even touched the strings of his cello. He and the Philharmonic performed Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B-minor, a piece with lovely and sinister moments. Harrell’s technique was nothing short of amazing. As his left hand danced over the neck of the cello, you’d notice him using his thumb to hold some notes (whereas usually the thumb is pressed just against the back of the neck). Other times, one of the left fingers would be holding a note, and then he’d reach over with his left index finger and quickly strum another string from the neck. Harrell’s technique was surpassed only by his energy, his playing quick, crisp, and light.

Conductor Theodore Kuchar leads the orchestra with great charisma, conducting not only with his baton, but also with his facial expressions and posture. A brief sort-of duet with Harrell featured Philharmonic concertmaster (violinist) Aimee Kreston. Kreston and the Fresno Philharmonic as a whole proved to be worthy counterparts to Harrell’s virtuosity.

The audience (your reviewer included) erupted in applause with a standing ovation that earned two fantastic encores from Harrell. But in addition to all the wonderful music during the evening, there were other things to be excited about as well. This was my first visit to the Saroyan Theater in a few months, and it’s come a long way. The renovations are giving the lobby a classy and updated look while also taking the opportunity to celebrate its namesake.

The Philharmonic also announced its 2007-2008 season, and there are unique things ahead that you won’t want to miss. Among the visiting soloists is Evelyn Glennie, percussion and bagpipes. In March 2008, there will be “Bugs Bunny on Broadway.” My initial skepticism of this concert was overtaken by great interest when I read that the Philharmonic will be playing live musical accompaniment to cartoons projected onto a screen during the concert.

Additionally, the season will open with a new festival, the “Basically Beethoven Festival” this June (June 15-17, 2007). It starts June 15 with “Intoxicating Energy” at 5:30pm with a German Beer Garden at the Saroyan. The concert starts at 8pm with the Philharmonic playing with featured violin, cello, and piano artists. June 16, at CSU Fresno, is “Intimate Encounters,” featuring chamber music, including Philharmonic conductor Kuchar on viola. The festival concludes on June 17 with “Heroes and Triumph,” featuring the Philharmonic back at the Saroyan. Each of the three concerts features different musical selections. The ambitious and unique (I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen a beer garden at an orchestra event) festival should be a lot of fun!

If you can still make it to see Lynn Harrell (at 2:30pm on Sunday, April 22, just a few hours after this posting), it is well worth it. Get ready for the Philharmonic’s 2007-2008 season – the variety of events will give those new to the Philharmonic some great opportunities to try something they think they’ll like. Also look for my article on the Philharmonic and the Fresno Grand Opera in the May 2007 issue of the Undercurrent.