Joyce Wagner
In Motion Staff Writer
Joyce Wagner/In Motion
After warming up and toning their instruments, the orchestra opened the concert with a stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” which brought the audience to their feet to join along in singing.
Composed by Antonin Dvorak and arranged by Richard Meyer, “Slavonic Dance No. 4 began the actual program. Dvorak, who was inspired by Johannes Bach, composed a series of 16 Slavonic Dances. This particular piece is part of his Opus 46, which uses the rhythms of Slavic folk music as the basis. It is a lively, melodic piece.
Christenson took a moment to welcome everyone to the Davidson Theater with “Good afternoon. Thank you for coming on such an incredibly good day. I can’t believe you came inside on such a beautiful afternoon. We’re delighted to see you.”
Continuing on, Christenson introduced the next piece as, an arrangement of the “Variations on a Theme of Pagnini”, written by Rachmaninoff.” He proceeded to explain to the audience that David Ritzi, the tympanist with the orchestra, had just lost his brother, Tom. “I would like to dedicate this performance, this piece by Pagnini, with all its beauty and multi-faceted characteristics in honor of Tom Ritzi, long-time jeweler here in town and a spirited person. With pride and humility, we dedicate this next performance to the life of Tom Ritzi.”
The Pagnini piece, written by Sergei Rachmaninoff and arranged by Vernon Leidig, was fast moving. Composed in 1934, Rachmaninoff played the piano solo at its premiere that November, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra as it was conducted by Leopold Stokowski. The following month, Rachmaninoff, Stokowsi and the Philadelphia Orchestra made the original recording at RCA Victor’s Trinity Church Studio in Camden, New Jersey.
John Tatgenhorst, a child prodigy, is well-known for composing and arranging music for band, orchstra and choral groups. He has more than 600 published works. His “Poem for Orchestra” has almost a conversational tone to it. It featured Leanne Polhill on the flute and Kendra Cochenour on the violin.
“Pirates of the Caribbean,” composed by Klaus Badelt and arranged by Ted Ricketts left the audience feeling as if they were in the middle of one of the “Pirates” movies. Born in 1967, in Frankfurt, Germany, Badelt began his career composing for commercials and movies in Germany before moving to the United States in 1998 at the suggestion of Oscar-winning composer, Hans Zimmer.
Following intermission, the orchestra presented the audience with a lively Gilbert and Sullivan medley which included the “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “The Mikado” and “Pirates of Penzance,” arranged by Ted Ricketts. Sir William Schwenck Gilbert and Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan, both from London, were known for their collaborations of comic operas, of which these are among the best known.
A piece, “Within You/ Without You,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCarthy; and arranged by Norton Christenson, the orchestra conductor, was played by News-Journal entertainment columnist, Rick de Yampert piece on a sitar. Beatles’ George Harrison learned how to play the sitar and was featured playing it on “Within You/ Without You” and several other pieces by the Beatles, bringing the sitar into popular music.
The sitar, a stringed instrument from Easter India, is mainly used to play Hindustani and Indian classical music. It can have a varied number of strings and two bridges. The strings that run over the frets produce a droning sound while the strings under the frets create a sympathetic sound. Tuning keys at the top and along the side of the sitar allow for numerous adjustments and sounds. The gourd on the neck at the top, also called a tumbaa, is a resonating chamber which helps give a rich sound to the instrument.
Rick de Yampert proved his skill with the instrument when he played an original, solo piece he had composed for the sitar. After, he took a moment to address the crowd. Using humor, he said, “Norton said to say hello to my fans. Where is he? He’s here somewhere.” The audience shared laughter with de Yampert before he went on to say, “My wife, son, granddaughter and friends are here. Thank you for coming out. It’s been a joy. Thank you for sharing with us.”
Another Beatles composition, “Norwegian Wood,” written by John Lennon and Paul Mc Carthy and arranged by Norton Christenson, followed the solo performance. De Yampert, also known as Sitarick, accompanied this piece on the sitar as well. For more information about de Yampert, he has a website, www.rickdeyampert.com.
The final piece was, “Rondeau,” from Masterpiece Theater, by French composer, Jean Joseph Mouret and arranged by Vernon Leidig. The piece became popular as the signature tune of Masterpiece, the Public Broadcasting Service’s series. It is still played at many weddings.