Voices raised

Friday night got the NCO's weekend of Thankgiving Celebration shows off to a rollicking start, with huge choral moments, dynamic new classical works and a bunch of Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key of Life." There was a lot of star power in the room, with guest vocalists Odessa Settles, Todd Suttles, Jonell Mosser, Scat Springs, Abby Burke and Nathan Young, plus guest musicians John Jorgenson, Tracy Silverman, Jeff Coffin, and Alexander Fedoriouk. John, Alexander and the NCO's own David Davidson were in total synch on the Jorgenson/Carl Marsh piece Istiqbal Gathering. Silverman's difficult Overture for Strings came off with precision and energy. And the vocalists seemed to encourage each other to take each song to a new level. Were you there? Are you going to Saturday's show? We'd love to hear your feedback. Please just click the COMMENTS link here and leave your impressions.

Comments

[Anne Knauff]

I got back from a five-day trip JUST in time to get to Friday night's concert. I was worn out by the time I got to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Three beats into the first song, I was revitalized and covered with goosebumps! It was all so electrifying, I went out at the intermission and bought a ticket for tonight's concert, too. It was all the better for the second chance to enjoy every note.

I paid particular attention to Paul Gambill's conducting at the second concert. NCO is HIS orchestra; he was one with the NCO tonight especially. Sometimes it seemed as if the orchestra would or could not play without a nod from his baton. Other times it seemed as if the energy flowed from the orchestra to Paul. It was that perfect vitality between Paul and the orchestra that helped to make the evening so special.

Even the visual aspects of the evening were beautiful. The woman presenting the music in American Sign Language was graceful and lyrical in her presentation. Her black dress blended with the background, sometimes leaving the impression that her hands floated, disembodied, in movements of their own. The gospel choir was a radiant and vibrant mosaic of solid-color blouses and shirts. No one could sit still hearing all that music and seeing the choir move back and forth as one with the rhythm of the music!

A friend attended Saturday night's concert for his first experience of NCO. He said at the end of the concert, "I never saw an orchestra look like they were having so much fun!" It would only be fair if they had as much fun as the rest of us!

[Rick Bozman]

As this was my first opportunity to experience the NCO all I can say is it was a Thanksgiving celebration I will continue to remember. I really don't know what to applaud the most; from concept to execution, from individual artist to full ensemble, I too was overwhelmed with the beauty of the moment to moment unfolding of music and artistry presented. Paul Gambill should be congratulated for his mastery in leading the NCO and bring to the audience this superlative performance.