Page 25 - PGA Community News - February '25

February 2025 February 2025 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 25

Rex Recommends

Palm Beach Symphony summer home for 88 years now. Back then the very young I would have wished for a stronger clarinet sound though.
pianist had a “quirk”: he wore bright red socks! If anything, Maestro Schwarz had each section take a well-deserved
Glorious Tchaikovsky, Ravishing Ravel his “touch” has gotten more mature. When I first heard him, I bow. Alas, we must still work on the new audiences whose
considered him a great pianist and something of a showman, halfhearted applause at the end let the players go far too soon.
Review by Rex Hearn and, why not, he is exceptional and still in demand. Whereas More Bravos would be a good start. …
In their third concert many of his contemporaries have moved over to academia or
of the season on Jan. 13, the recording studio. Ravel wrote his G Major piano concerto
Palm Beach Symphony soon after completing his famous Concerto for the Left
once again proved that they Hand, commissioned by a pianist friend who was maimed in Local Homebuilder To Be Honored from page 24
now rank with America’s World War I. Like the French Impressionist painters, Ravel
top orchestras. A packed rejected the traditional forms, saying, “The old concertos funds to support them.
Kravis Center heard Jennifer were written not for, but against the piano.” So he opens his “Carry your sign high and show that you believe
Higdon’s “blue cathedral,” G Major concerto with the crack of a whip, a sound made by everyone deserves a roof over their head. Homelessness
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in smashing two long boards together in the percussion, after is often unseen or pushed aside but let this be a day to
G Major and Tchaikovsky’s which the pianist is integrated into the orchestra as one of stand strong and march to break the cycle of homelessness
Sixth Symphony. Maestro them; literally with a part to play alongside. for our most vulnerable neighbors living in Palm Beach
Gerard Schwarz has built an orchestra worth hearing backed In the slow movement the pianist plays solo for a third County,” commented Stanley.
by countless enthusiasts who raise money, led by hard of the time, as if in a serious reverie. Thibaudet got the sad The 5K march is open to everyone in the community.
working Chief Executive, David McClymont. Contributions mood across with drooped shoulders and restrained playing: Participants can choose to march beginning at The Lord’s
and grants as of May 31, 2023 totaled $2,859,057, and they the “showman” again. Reverie music is picked up by the Place Fortin Family Campus (2808 North Australian
continue to grow year on year as does its audience through orchestra, they and the soloist continue “in conversation” Ave.) at 2 p.m., join at any point along the route, or come
television “specials” and many lively outreach programs. This to great effect; Thibaudet enjoying every moment at the for the program at the final destination in downtown
combination of financial success and creative improvement keyboard. West Palm Beach. Individuals, corporations, business
assures the orchestra of 50 more years. They are now in The last movement echoes the start of the first, this time and community leaders, schools, and groups will gather
their 51st season. “Blue cathedral” by American composer, with a drum roll. And it’s off we go into a series of restless at Lake Pavilion for the celebratory event that will take
Jennifer Higdon, born 1962, opened the program. It was figures interrupted by cheeky contributions from soloists in place from 4 to 6 p.m.
written in response to the death of her younger brother, the orchestra, including a solo tuba! This happy concerto, Participants can help raise money for this event by
Andrew Blue Higdon, age 33, from an aggressive form of full of youthful exuberance met with appreciative applause. creating a team and challenging their friends and co-
skin cancer. Representing “journeys we make in our lives It was a memorable performance. workers to help end homelessness. The goal is to have
and the inner travels to where our souls carry us,” Higdon’s The great symphonies of the world’s composers test the 200 people march and attend the program and to raise a
music is ethereal from start to finish. mettle of every orchestra. minimum of $350,000. Funds raised will be matched by
Halfway through there is a magnificent orchestral Last night, The Palm Beach Symphony’s performance of The Honorable Ann Brown.
crescendo that dies away to a quiet ending of small Chinese Tchaikovsky’s 6th, the Pathetique, reminded us how great “As we march forward, we speak for those who cannot
bells, hardly audible to the naked ear. It’s a lovely mysterious they can be. It was another refined performance from the and lift up those who have lost their way. Our path to raise
Local Homebuilder To Be Honored on page 25 piece, well-liked by the public with over 700 performances baton of Maestro Schwarz verging on complete perfection. I awareness about the men and women living on the streets
so far. This idea of replacing a familiar “overture” with a was given to thinking about what Sir John Barbirolli said of is only possible with the support of our friends, neighbors,
contemporary work at the beginning of a concert gives needed the Halle Orchestra he had to rebuild after World War II took and other generous corporate partners. Please join us as
exposure to composers like Ms. Higdon. After all, every so many male players. He praised each new player saying we give voice to the most vulnerable and neglected in
piece of music was once new. I first heard pianist Jean-Yves that they could stand alone as soloists at the drop of a hat. Palm Beach County,” encouraged Alsofrom.
Thibaudet at a Tanglewood concert in the Berkshire Hills of So it was for this orchestra, the many solo parts that led Visit TheLordsPlace.org/march for more information.
Massachusetts where the Boston Symphony have had their to fine expositions were all superb.

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