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Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra Sparkles In Premiere

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By KURT LOFT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 19, 2008

TAMPA - If a world premiere, the presence of a leading American composer and a packed house full of parents were enough to make members of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra jittery, they didn't show it Sunday during their long-awaited spring concert at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

It was the big event for the gifted student musicians, a moment they will savor for years, if not a lifetime. The occasion was a bona fide commission by a major figure in the world of music, and a chance to prove to families, teachers and area music lovers that the birth of new music isn't just a perk for professional orchestras.

Since January, the musicians have been rehearsing "Dream Threads," commissioned by the center from Augusta Read Thomas, formerly composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony and one of the country's most respected musical talents.

Written as a ballet in 11 short scenes, "Dream Threads" stands on its own as pure concert music, although the story's text appeared on a screen above the stage. Thomas exploits the entire spectrum of the orchestra, beginning with chamber-like solos and building up layers of texture alongside abrupt changes of mood and color.

The musicians showed a remarkable confidence Sunday under the baton of William Wiedrich, everyone playing as a concise, integrated unit. It was hard to believe it was an orchestra made up of teenagers.

"They really gave it their best, and it was so moving to see them working together," Thomas said after the performance. "'Dream Threads' isn't easy to play, but they captured the spirit of each movement."

Four sections make up the conservatory group: Concert Strings, String Sinfonia, Junior Philharmonic and Youth Symphony, each geared to age and experience. While the Youth Symphony had the honor of delivering the premiere to the sold-out house, their younger colleagues showed plenty of sparkle on their own.

Highlights included the Concert Strings in a delightful moment from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"; the String Sinfonia in Richard Meyer's "Beethoven Inc.," a romping arrangement of popular classical themes; the Junior Philharmonic nailing the "Infernal Dance" from Stravinsky's "Firebird"; and the Youth Symphony tackling with great assurance Bernstein's Overture to "Candide."

Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib

.com.

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