Community Center Theatre (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra's (SPO) performance of “Basically Beethoven” took place at the Community Center Theatre on Saturday night. On an almost clear night with a full moon shining, aficionados made their way to the theatre with their path illuminated by the bright light of the moon.

Marc Feldman, Executive Director, of the SPO came on stage to welcome the audience. After thanking the SPO Board of Directors and Target for their season sponsorship he thanked the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission for their sponsorship of the evening’s concert.

Feldman went on to say “The Sacramento Philharmonic over the last few years has brought many artists from around the world to perform here in Sacramento and many of those artists represent the diversity of our city.” He continued, “Those concerts whether it was the last French Concert or the Russian Armenian Concert or the Middle Eastern Concert or the Chinese American Symphony they all make the Sacramento Philharmonic a very special orchestra. An orchestra like this is not special by its own but it’s special because its audience. None of these things would be possible without you.” Feldman’s comments brought applause. Marc Feldman ended his remarks by thanking the many benefactors who generously support the SPO and took the opportunity to once again ask for audience support by whose generosity concerts like this are possible.

Support of the arts is always needed and as arts are not supported and die the diversity and culture of a community also dies. Although Three Stages at Folsom Lake College has opened its doors I cannot help but wonder if it will have an effect on the number of people that attend performances or if it will actually help the Community Center Theater in the long run.

Marc Feldman continues to do a great job soliciting donations at every chance he has a captive audience. Marc went on to say; “Tonight’s concert is also special because we lost one of our beloved patrons, somebody who loved music, art and culture a person who was born in Alexandria Egypt. We would like to dedicate this concert to Mrs. Helen Angelides.” He went on to thank the Angelides family for all their support they've given through many years.

The first performance of the evening was Darius Milhaud’s 1923 composition La Création du Monde (The Creation of the World). The French composer for many years was a teacher at Mills College in Oakland. Some famous musicians that studied with him were Burt Bacharach, Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Dave Brubeck.

La Création was originally a ballet composition commissioned by Ballets Suédois. Milhaud’s composition was performed by a smaller orchestra and under the direction of Michael Morgan.

From its overture to the coda the smaller orchestra sounded magnificent. The arrangement on stage included woodwinds, percussion, string and brass sections as well as a piano in the background. Although the full SPO was not on stage the musicians performing played La Création with great bravura. Although a jazz influence is not prominent in the piece its influence on Milhaud was captured in certain pieces of the movement.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s composition Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor K. 491 featuring Sara Davis Buechner on piano followed Milhaud’s composition. The piano that was in the background was moved off stage and the rest of the SPO came back on stage. A piano was brought to the front of the stage to feature Sara Davis Buechner who was making her SPO debut.

This piano concerto has been considered one of Mozart's greatest works. It has also been considered to have had influenced Ludwig van Beethoven and others.

Sara Davis Buechner is considered a piano virtuoso and her abilities were well showcased in front of many adoring fans. Ms. Buechner’s portfolio is quite impressive winning the Gold Medal at the 1984 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Many other awards have followed in the United States and internationally. She has played with the New York Philharmonic, and those of Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cleveland and San Francisco. In 2003 Sara Buechner joined the Piano Faculty of the University of British Columbia at Vancouver.

Ms. Buechner’s animated piano playing concerto was a pleasure to witness and enjoy. The concert pianist and educator’s performance was well received by the audience. Ms. Buechner received a standing ovation at the end of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491.

After intermission maestro Michael Morgan took the microphone, “In case you’re wondering why there’s no winds or brass on stage for the 7th Symphony that’s because we’ve added a short piece to tonight’s performance.” Music Director Michael Morgan’s good news was well received. He continued, “Those of you who have been following our concerts for some time know that we’ve had several appearances by the wonderful Egyptian conductor Nader Abbassi who is also a wonderful composer. With all that’s going on in Egypt I was talking to Mark Feldman about Nader who I couldn’t reach for a while but he’s safe he’s fine and our thoughts are really with him.”

Nader Abbassi has been a guest with the SPO several times before. Currently Abbassi is music director for the Qatar Philharmonic and the Cairo Opera Orchestra. Michael Morgan in turn has been to Egypt and has had the pleasure of conducting Abbassi's orchestra a couple of years ago. An Egyptian connection has been established between Sacramento and Cairo that should continue to grow.

Michael Morgan and Marc Feldman had previously discussed playing a short piece by Abbassi for strings. They had discussed this the previous week and thought that they should play it sometime. Abbassi’s composition was secured “To honor the Egyptian people and because we feel so close to them now, we’ll play this short string piece by Nader Abbassi called ‘New Conception’.” This was a great treat.

Beautifully conducted Abbassi’s “New Conception” sounded very mystical. As I closed my eyes to enjoy this piece it sounded traditionally Egyptian bringing images of winds warmly passing over an orange colored dessert. Like Pharaohs being serenaded by this “New Conception” the SPO audience enjoyed this wonderful indulgence.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major was a composition that Beethoven considered one of his best works. The evening's entertainment would end after this symphony. Composed 200 years ago Symphony No. 7 continues to move the spirit and give pleasure when heard live as performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

People not familiar with the 7th Symphony or Beethoven’s work have heard part of this composition as background music in movies and commercials. From beginning to end the audience was captivated by the sheer mastery and elegance of Beethoven’s work. Hundreds of years after being composed it continues to bring delight to the music world.

As I looked around the theatre I saw people’s heads moving as if they felt they were conducting Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. As the crescendo moved to its climax Beethoven’s 7th Symphony the audience reluctantly waited for the last note to play. Michael Morgan was superb in conducting this piece. As the last note was played the audience in unison stood up to applaud the performance.

The evening’s performance was the last Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of the month at the Community Center Theater. The SPO also performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major and Darius Milhaud’s La Creation du Monde. Op. 81a at the Three Stages at Folsom Lake College on Sunday, February 20.

(Note, special thanks to Jay Stebley for his insightful notes on the SPO Programs)