Back to the 60's and 70's with fun

Most of my posts are about classical music, but our tastes are eclectic. As long as it is good, we enjoy all kinds of genres. Last night we happened upon a talented and fun group that do the songs of our youth. The City of Newton puts on free concerts during the summer, and most of the groups performing are enthusiastic but not that talented. We were having a bite to eat in Newton Center and saw a group setting up, so decided to grab our blankets and at least listen to the first few numbers. The group was The Reminisants, and they were GOOD. They did a mix of songs originally done by all the greats of the 60's and 70's (Roy Orbison, Elvis, The Moody Blues, etc) and if you closed your eyes, you could believe you were hearing the originals. The keyboard and guitars were first rate, and their stage presence made it even more enjoyable. The group performs frequently all over eastern Massachusetts, and I would encourage you to check their schedule and give them a listen. (www.reminisants.com)

Fun with Roberto Plano and Friends

Roberto Plano is an Italian pianist of international renown, who has played twice with the New Bedford Symphony. Back in the United States, he made a delightful stop in Marion between extended performances in Newport and Chautauqua. Billed as “An evening with Roberto Plano and Friends,” the event was held as a fund-raiser for the NBSO at Tabor Academy’s Lyndon Auditorium. First on the bill were two duets with NBSO concert master Jesse Holstein: Mozart’s Sonata in G, with the piano playing the dominant role, and the inventive Tzigane of Ravel, with the violin having center stage. Both were played flawlessly. A short interlude was provided by the Planos’ daughters, 6 and 8, making their “North American debuts.” They played short pieces separately and then as piano 4-hands, and performed like young professionals. Next came arias sung by NBSO development assistant and professional soprano Martha Gannon, accompanied by Mr. Plano. Her voice was rich and nuanced, and the “O mio babbino caro” brought a standing ovation. The evening ended with a piano 4-hands duet with Mr. Plano’s wife Paola Del Negro, an accomplished pianist and teacher in her own right. They did rousing renditions of Schumann’s Polonaises and Brahms’ Hungarian dances to well-deserved applause. For an encore, the duet did Victor Borge proud by “fighting” over the piano keyboard. A wonderful, if all too short evening. Please come again, Roberto.

Beautiful music by the shore

The Buzzards Bay Musicfest is the best summer music festival you have probably never heard of. Now in its 19th year, the festival brings in musicians of national caliber to the seaside town of Marion, Massachusetts, every July for a week. The musicians must enjoy it, because many return year after year, staying with host families in town. With little rehearsal time, they present 5 days of concerts. This year we had two chamber music concerts and two orchestral concerts. An innovation last year was devoting one evening to jazz. This was a big success in 2014 and so was repeated, bringing back the Sean Jones Quartet. The music selection is heavy on the classics: Mozart, Brahms, Bruch, Rossini, Beethoven and JC Bach. The only 20th Century composer represented was Rachmaninoff, but they clearly know their audience. The playing is uniformly strong. Perhaps because these are all seasoned professionals, you would never guess they may have only had a day or two to rehearse together. While I hate to single out any work over another, the Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, complete with Ogden Nash’s witty narrative was a favorite, and conductor Andres Cardenes did a tour-de-force on the final day, both conducting and playing the violin solo in Bruch’s Violin Concerto #1. The festival is funded by contributions and entry is free, though donations are accepted. Do plan to put it on your calendar for next July.