--Gail Edwards, San Mateo Times, Oct. 3, 1995
Redwood Symphony opened its 10th season Saturday night in the Canada College Theater with a gala celebration and a gem of a concert. This orchestra is unique among community orchestras in several ways. The first way is its conductor, music director and founder, Eric Kujawsky. He is said to be a taskmaster, not unlike many other conductors, but Kujawsky does it out of his love of the orchestra and his drive to raise its level of music-making ever higher.
These qualities were apparent throughout the concert, especially in the opener, Mozart's "Overture to the Magic Flute." This is an audience favorite, but like all Mozart, it is deceptively difficult. The orchestra must attain the light, bouncy feel characteristic of Mozart and the classical period alongside his lyrical singing passages. Concise conducting by Kujawsky, whose style includes only essential movements, leads these unpaid musicians with absolute clarity. Although the strings had a few problems with tentative entrances and unity, this piece is nearly ready for recording.
This is the second unique quality of the group: recordings.
Recording has created a loyalty, enthusiasm and pride that keep the orchestra growing in size, stature and ability. The orchestra's two all-Stravinsky CDs are available on the Clarity label.
Another artist on the Clarity label is violin virtuoso Eugene Fodor, who heard the CDs and asked to perform here. Consequently, Fodor was guest soloist for Edouard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole for Violin and Orchestra Op. 21 at Saturday's concert. This proved to be quite a coup. Not only did it help to fill the house, but Fodor worked with the orchestra in their short rehearsal time to raise the level of its playing. Fodor's playing is so refined and elegant, that it brings out the dichotomy between his abilities and the orchestra's. This was especially noticeable in quieter or delicate sections where the orchestra stepped all over Fodor, and its pitch problems were exposed. One must remember, though, that Fodor is one the world's greatest violinists, the first non-Russian to win the International Tchaikovsky Competition. His playing seems to say, "Listen closely. I have something important to say." His tone is pure and crystalline yet full-bodied from pianissimo to fortissimo. He evokes passion and fury, spinning a golden yarn of musical magic that is captivating and spellbinding.
Althought the Lalo is entitled "Symphonie," it is a concerto in five movements instead of the usual three. It has a strong Spanish flair that gave Fodor many chances to dale the audience with his flawless technique. He returned to play a solo encore, Paganini's Caprice No. 24. Hearing Fodor play this incredibly difficult theme and variations piece proved why he also won a gold medal in the International Paganini Competition.
Yet another way in which the RS stands out is its programming of difficult and unlikely works for an amateur group, such as the Mahler symphonies. Another such work was heard Saturday--Leonard Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." It's full of emotional melodies, beautiful, rich orchestrations, driving and compelling rhythms and explosions of sounds. The orchestra did a fine job with the changing rhythms, timbres and emotions. The percussion section, which is strongly featured in this piece, includes twelve-year-old Chris Carlson, who is in his second season as an extra player with the orchestra. This is quite an accomplishment since he's played for only four years. He also plays with the California Youth Symphony and will be going on its Asian trip.
The Redwood Symphony, a must-see group for orchestra lovers, has an interesting season ahead, too. For information, call 366-6872.
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