By Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent
Jul 12, 1999 12:26 PM
MARION -- The final concert of the third annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest was rich and vibrant, full of finesse and grace, played with fervor and conviction by a talented and vivacious orchestra. Conductor Russell Patterson showed real style and exuberance conducting these fine musicians.
The program opened with Mozart's "Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K. 364 for Violin, Viola and Orchestra." The orchestra was in superb form, dexterous and apt, full of dazzling skill and subtle sensitivity. The Allegro Maestro was lush and rich, characterized by elegance and grace. The Andante was sweeping and vibrant, resplendent with rich passages exquisite and engaging. The Presto was assured and robust, played with spunk and vision.
Charles Stegeman on violin and Donald McInnes on viola are precise and vivacious. They play with aplomb and daring, deftly interweaving their passages with intensity and acumen.
After intermission, the orchestra dove into Haydn's "Cello Concerto in C, H. VII 6:1" which featured Mark Tanner on violoncello. The Moderato was adroit and airy, handled with esprit and zest. The Adagio was pensive and haunting, full of rich passages elegantly played. The Allegro Molto was performed with flourish and elan, precisely polished and passionate.
Mr. Tanner proved to be exceptional, a cultivated and articulate player with a robust style and exactitude that was admirable, shimmering with flair.
The concert ended with Schubert's "Symphony No. 5 in B flat, D. 485." This too was splendid. The Allegro shimmered with richness. The Andante con molto was vivacious and telling. The Menuetto: Allegro molto was sonorous and dulcet. The Allegro vivace was confident and intrepid, full of confidence and conviction.
The concert was vivid and compelling. There was real passion here, a passion balanced by an exquisite skill and daring. The concert was rich and memorable, full of vivid moments artfully articulated and propelled by a keen sensibility and admirable vigor.
The musical selections were impeccable and showed off the orchestra's talents with refinement and elegance. It was all flushed with enthusiasm and dexterity, underscored by emotion, at once audacious and compelling.
The orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director Russell Patterson proved once again what a wonderful treasure it has become in the SouthCoast musical scene.