The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center brimmed with young musicians as well as notable seasoned players May 2 for the Dearborn Symphony’s season-ending concert.
Under the mentoring and mature baton of Kypros Markou, youth artist solos competition winners, pianist Isabelle Lian and clarinetist Allen Chang, took center stage with youth filled vibrancy.
The program, rightfully named “Suites for the Sweet!” featured suites from composers Abram Khachaturian, Walter Piston, Ludwig van Beethoven, Carl Maria von Weber and Alexander Borodin.
Notable seasoned players Ashley Dyer, violin concertmaster; Caen Thomason-Redus, flute, acting principal; Joni Day, oboe, principal; Lisa Raschitore, clarinet, principal; and Jacqueline Csurgai-Schmitt, piano, offered talented solo pieces sweetly throughout the suites.
The young at heart program opened with Khachaturian’s “Masquerade Suite,” followed by Piston’s “The Incredible Flutist Suite.” After intermission the show resumed with Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op.15, Mvt.1,” followed by Weber’s “Clarinet Concerto No 2. In E-flat major, op.74, Mvt, 1,” and closed with Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances.”
Playing well with others, Markou assembled an enchanting program design. The music scored as the Dearborn Symphony unleashed a whimsical presentation. Dyer and symphony masterfully delivered an outstanding performance from the opening of Khachaturian’s varied suite. Dyer exuded a rich and powerful performance transcending notes into captivating and harmonic dialogue. From a quiet waltz to mighty gallop Dyer and the symphony soared and roared.
Piston’s suite featured Thomason-Redus, who gave a glorious flute performance. Day was captivating on the oboe, Raschitore a treasure on clarinet and Csurgai-Schmitt a delight on piano. Thomason-Redus, Day, Raschitore and Csurgai-Schmitt along with the symphony executed each complex movement with an understated ease.
After intermission, Lian age 12, a seventh-grader from Novi Middle School, took center stage. Lian performed with an enduring passion well beyond the expectations of her age. Bold, tender and masterful, Lian executed a deep rendering of Beethoven’s concerto. She was poised and charming to watch.
Chang, a junior at Ann Arbor Huron High School, performed Weber’s clarinet concerto. Chang stood with a maturity far beyond his years; accomplished and masterful delivery hallmarked his boyish demeanor.
Tomorrow’s young stars burned bright as a small group of young musicians representing the Dearborn Youth Symphony, under the direction of artistic director and conductor Tim Cibor, took the stage alongside the Dearborn Symphony.
The two groups, under the guiding hand of Markou, generated a strong close for the show with Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances.” The bridging of vibrant young musicians and notable seasoned players made for a night of brilliant
entertainment.
The opening of next year’s Dearborn Symphony 2014-15 season, scheduled to open in October, promises another great season of local entertainment. For more information call 313-565-2424 or go to dearbornsymphony.org.