KRIS HARRIS
Special to The Leader
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon filled with music on Sept. 20, as the Western New York Chamber Orchestra (WNYCO) played its first concert of its Fredonia Concert Series in King Concert Hall. Crowds of students, faculty and community members alike came to the Rockefeller Arts Center to see the orchestra pay tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most revered composers of the Classical Era.
The concert began with a narration by Julie Newell, the executive director of the WNYCO. Throughout the concert, she provided history behind the composer, setting the mood for each upcoming piece and giving moments of beauty by telling Mozart’s views on not only music, but life, family and love.
The first song played was the “Overture to Don Giovanni,” an opera with music composed by Mozart and Italian libretto (text) provided by Lorenzo Da Ponte. While grandiose in nature, there were moments of grace and nimbleness, carefully executed by the orchestra, emphasizing Mozart’s lighthearted style. This was a perfect way to begin the concert.
Up next was a duet between Sonja Inglefield on harp and Dr. Susan Royal on flute performing Concerto for flute and harp in C major. The balance between the two was flawless as the melodies produced from each instrument intertwined with one another, creating a tranquil moment early in the program. At the end, the two soloists hugged after performing a wonderful piece.
The performance was a full audiovisual experience, as the orchestra played along with video clips. The music was accompanied by parts of the 1983 movie “Amadeus,” directed by Milos Forman and based on the play of the same name by Peter Shaffer. While providing much comedic relief throughout the night, it also provided insight on the life of Mozart, mirroring true life events of the artist and giving introspective moments.
Glen Cortese, the conductor and musical director of the group himself, had an opportunity to play. He went behind to the piano to perform Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major. Conducting and playing at the same time, which is no easy feat, was something Cortese executed effortlessly.
The concert ended with a beautiful rendition of the finale from “Le Nozze Di Figaro,” or in English, “The Marriage of Figaro.” The excerpt from the opera contained performances by several Fredonia students, including Michael Hawk, a senior vocal performance major, and Margaret Van Norden, a senior vocal performance and arts administration double major, who took the lead.
Within the ensemble were Amy Cohen, alumni, vocal performance; Brittany Nichols, alumni, music education; Jennifer Townsley, senior, music education; Shane Reed, senior, music education; and Will Steadman alumnus, choral conducting.
The relationship between Fredonia and WNYCO is strong, as it began as the Fredonia Chamber Players, a faculty ensemble back in 1982. Since then it has grown, and players come from Rochester, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania, to perform with the troupe. Many Fredonia professors also partake in the group, continuing its initial purpose.
Benjamin Lawson, a freshman sound recording technology major, felt moved by the performance.
“Especially listening to Mozart, knowing that he was so young and did so much, you[‘ve] got to keep going. It’s all inspirational, it [pushes you] to better yourself and do the best that you can.”
He also added, “every performance — no matter what it is — you’re able to learn something from what you witness.”
According to Newell, who also is a professor of voice at Fredonia, putting the concert together took some time, involving many groups:
“The process for the concert goes all the way back to November of 2014, and includes intersection with so many people — the entire staff of Rockefeller Arts Center for scheduling needs, for publicity and program creation, the School of Music for scheduling and student invitations, many meetings with our staff members, fundraising with our Board of Directors and in securing private sponsors and grant awards,” Newell said.