Summertime Classics

Star-Spangled Celebration

British conductor (and composer – more on that later) Bramnwell Tovey was warmly welcomed on his return to host the two Summertime Classics at Avery Fisher Hall.  He is a favorite here with his self-deprecating humor which he brings to all performances.  Once again, he pointed out the curiosity of having someone with a British accent host a 4th of July program, explaining that “I was sent here by the British government to apologize for the difficulties in 1776.  May I add, that it was our worst mistake.”

The hall was festively backlit with stars and stripes for the Independence Day holiday.

These programs offer lighter musical fare.  First was Four Dance Episodes from “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland.  “Rodeo” has gained new recognition over the years as the background music for commercials about Beef!  The “Buckaroo Holiday” did bring cowboys to mind with its rollicking rhythm; the “Corral Nocturne” cooled us down with its haunting tones;  in “Saturday Night Waltz,” we could really imagine a gentleman cowboy sweetly waltzing.

While the program was of American composers, it did include one piece by Mr. Tovey, entitled “The Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret for Trombone and Orchestra.”  Mr. Tovey explained that it was composed in honor of Joseph Alessi, principal trombone of the Philharmonic because he commutes from New Jersey.  By the time he learned that Mr. Alessi came over the George Washington Bridge and not the Lincoln Tunnel, he decided to leave the erroneously-named title.  The piece depicts the stop/start rhythms of tunnel traffic ranging from horns blasting to a jazzy blues feeling as it quiets down.  At certain times, the trombone really sounded like a voice bleating.  Mr. Alessi demonstrated why he is the principal trombone.

Joining the program after intermission — in its Philharmonic debut — was the US Coast Guard Band under the direction of Capt. Kenneth W. Megan.  He introduced the first John Philip Sousa march, “The Glory of the Yankee Navy,” by saying how much greater that sounded than “the glory of the Red Sox!”

This was followed by Kenneth Hesketh’s “Masque for Symphonic Wind Band,” and then four excerpts from Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide Suite,” in an arrangement by Clare Grundman that suited the band very well.

The Philharmonic and the Coast Guard Band combined for the final marches which included salutes to the five branches of American armed forces during which veterans were invited to rise during their service anthem.  The audience gave them a warm applause.  There were even a handful of WWII veterans.

Mr. Tovey led the two groups in their final piece, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” during which the famous piccolo was augmented by the addition of three who marched on the stage for that interlude.  The Coast Guard brought their three euphoniums which was perfect for the marches.  It has to be the only time I remember so many tubas on stage.

When the audience begged for more, Mr. Tovey surrendered the baton to Capt. Megan who provided an encore of the march.

It was a rousing evening of great music to kick off the holiday.