A small but highly appreciative audience last Tuesday was on its feet following a stellar performance by the Mission Chamber Orchestra of Rome, joined by musicians of the Broward-based orchestra Symphony of the Americas, under the direction of artistic director James Brooks-Bruzzese.
The delightful SummerFest 2014 concert at Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church was a benefit for the Cultural Council of Indian River County.
SummerFest was originally founded in 2001 by Brooks-Bruzzese as a way to fill the summertime cultural events void. The annual cultural exchange is now Florida’s longest running music festival.
“We really, really love to bring this quality of performances to Vero Beach,” said Barbara Hoffman, Cultural Council board chairman. “This professional ensemble has been acclaimed throughout Europe. Its musicians are experienced professionals; graduates and faculty members of noted European conservatories, devoted to presenting musical excellence and organizing performances which are of high humanitarian importance.”
Highlights of the concert included a masterful solo by violinist Aleksandre Tigishvili from Tbilisi, Georgia. Playing on a remarkable 1770 Italian violin, he enthralled the audience with the Spring concerto from one of Antonio Vivaldi’s best known works, the Four Seasons.
The audience let out a collective sigh after the rapid-fire fingering and breathless trills of Florida-based Marilyn Maingart, principal flutist of Symphony of the Americas and Palm Beach Pops. She provided the wonderfully imaginative arrangements for two lovely pieces – Habanera, from violin virtuoso Pablo de Sarasante’s Spanish Dances; and a jazzy take on Herbert Clarke’s The Carnival of Venice.
Brooks-Bruzzese turned the baton over to Mission Chamber Orchestra music director Lorenzo Turchi-Floris, who completely captivated the audience with his own composition, Presentiments. SummerFest marked the world premiere of the piece, which swept listeners along on an intense, musical journey.
“I’m really enjoying this,” said Susan Smith at intermission. Referencing Presentiments she commented, “The sound at the end got so quiet; it was almost like a heartbeat. The acoustics are great in here for an orchestra this size; it’s very intimate. You might not have heard the back instruments in a bigger venue, but here you could.”
Following intermission, the audience was treated to the Swiss cellist family Eichenberger – principal cellist and soloist Jurg, his wife and two daughters – with gorgeous renditions of Saint-Saens’ La Cygne, from Carnival of the Animals, and Allegro Appassionato.
Brooks Bruzzese said the group is next heading to the University of Florida in Gainesville as part of a 100th celebration of the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal, adding that it was especially meaningful to him, having been born in Panama.
Panamanian oboist Juan Castillo, of the National Symphony of Panama, composed Rhapsody on a Canal for the occasion – a cheerful work interwoven with folk songs.
The evening closed out with a delightfully jazzy rendition of Cole Porter’s Just One of Those Things, arranged and soloed by Cuban-born Orlando Forte, Symphony of the Americas concertmaster.
“That was really, really good,” said Cynthia Callander. “I never miss this; it’s a treat.”
“It’s a shame that more people don’t come out to these concerts,” said Ed Smith. “It’s sophisticated enough and it’s bright enough; it’s very entertaining.”
Next up for the Cultural Council is the second annual Celebrate the Arts Festival, Sept. 27 at Riverside Park, featuring booths and entertainment relating to all of the various arts and cultural activities available in the area.
“It gives our members an opportunity to talk to the community and show what they do,” says Hoffman. “Some of the not-for profits told us last year that they got lots of volunteers because they had a chance to talk to people about what they do. People liked it because it wasn’t focused on selling anything; it was a chance for them to ask questions and learn about what the organizations really do.”
For more information, visit www.cultural-council.org
