Rossini’s William Tell Overture filled the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center on Saturday night as the beginning piece for the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Rossini, Mozart and Brahms, featuring Dolly Kessner and Joan Thompson as dual pianists for Mozart’s composition.
The concert began at 8 p.m. with Gioacchino Rossini’s Overture to “William Tell.” The performance continued with Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365, and concluded with Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, by Johannes Brahms. The symphony did well in the first part of the William Tell Overture, in which the flutes, played by Margaret Joyce, Lori Carta on piccolo and Rhondda Dayton as Principal flutist, turned in a delightful performance. At the end of the piece, the symphony truly captured the emotion Rossini was aiming for through a powerful playing style.
Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos was also exceptional, due in no small part to pianists and faculty members Dolly Kessner and Joan Thompson. Both were synchronized and elegant, and were aided by the strings and woodwinds, who shined in the second and third movements. The piece also helped the pacing of the whole show, as some of its more soothing passages helped relax the audience after the dynamic extravaganza of the William Tell Overture.
Finally, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 was an excellent piece to end the evening. In keeping with the theme of the performance, the piece was still emotional and powerful, yet subtler than Rossini and Mozart. You could feel your heart rate rise and fall with the pace and tone of the music. The entire woodwinds section was very strong in this piece as well. The real star of the evening, however, was Music Director James J. Song, who conducted the orchestra with zeal and confidence. Truly understanding the dynamics of each piece, Song was the image of quiet control in Mozart, and animated and energetic in Brahms.
The flawless performance made it an evening well spent. The Moorpark Symphony Orchestra will next perform in the PAC on May 5. Contact the MC Box Office at (805)378-1485 for details.
