MiV Home
Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, Oak Bay High School
June 8, 2019
The Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo's music for guitar is at the core of that instrument's classical repertoire. His Concierto de Aranjuez (1940) is undoubtedly and perhaps justifiably the most famous guitar concerto, and is one of the most familiar 20th Century compositions, if Miles Davis and figure skating choreography choices are anything to go by. And his compositions for solo guitar define "Spanish guitar", including "Zarabanda Lejana" (from 1927).
The Civic Orchestra's "Strum" concert opened with a convincing performance of the rather delightful arrangement for strings of that piece, which Rodrigo retitled "Sarabande Lointaine". The orchestra equipped itself well with the many grace notes that fall naturally on the guitar fingerboard.
After the guitaristic opener, the strings of the orchestra were then joined by Celino Romero, part of the third generation of the famous Romero guitar-playing family that started with his grandfather Celedonio, for the familiar Vivaldi concerto in D...the slow movement in particular, with its famous melody, was particularly well-rendered, finding a nice tempo that was neither rushed nor plodding.
Next was Celino Romero's solo performance of his grandfather's "Fantasia", a piece that exploits a multitude of the various timbres and percussive effects that a guitar allows, including fretboard tapping. This piece is a bit of a razzle-dazzle show-stopper, and Romero played it with aplomb.
The four guitarists started the second half of the concert began with an arrangement of Boccherini's "Introduction and Fandango". The quartet of players performed this work with verve, crisp and together on this very lively piece.
The concert closed with the orchestra returning to the stage to join the four guitarists for Rodrigo's Concierto Andaluz. The concerto dates from 1967, and was written as a commission by Celedonio Romero for Los Romeros: Celedonio and his three sons — including Celino's father, Celin. The concerto is firmly Spanish Impressionism — there is an abundance of colourful writing that the orchestra captured. The balance between the guitars and orchestra was well-modulated; it is easy for an enthusiastic orchestra to overwhelm the modest volume and projection of a classical guitar. And the interplay between the guitars was, as in the Boccherini, notable — there are some passages that require a combination of finesse and clarity, and the performers rose above those challenges.
As has been noted elsewhere on these pages, the Civic Orchestra has been revitalized under the direction of Brian Wismath. The "Strum" concert once again demonstrated their form; the first concert of their 2019-20 season, themed "German Romantics", gives us a chance to hear Bruckner's not-oft performed Symphony No.6.
MiV Home