Reviews

Last weekend at Carmel's Sunset Center, Monterey Symphony conductor Jayce Ogren led a potent and introspective program of four musical farewells by 20th-century composers in memory of individuals who were important to them. In his pre-concert talk, Ogren declared this penultimate program of the season to be his favorite. Mine too, it turns out. Indeed, as he said, together the works made a unique, immersive and beautiful concert experience. It also served as a testimony to Ogren's vision and skill as the orchestra's leader. 

First, we heard African American composer Adolphus Hailstork's "Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed:' a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. A quiet and stately score with a somber final note, Hailstork vividly captured in music King's life, purpose and call for vigilance. Hailsork is the third African American composer whose music Ogren has programmed this season, including a concerto by Emmy Award-winning John Wineglass, the orchestra's composer­in-residence. 

Benjamin Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, written as a memorial to the great French horn player Dennis Brain, showcased the ensemble's marvelous principal horn Daniel Nebel and the burnished vocal power of internationally acclaimed tenor Sean Panikkar. Britten's five poetry settings in this piece include poems by William Blake, Ben Johnson and Tennyson, the latter calling out the horn with the refrain "Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying:' Nebel's playing truly revealed the glory of the horn in this homage to Brain.

The incomparable Estonian composer Arvo Part, whose mystically vibrant harmonies have captivated millions of listeners around the globe, wrote his Cantus in memory of Britten, whose death came as a blow to him. Cantus delivers an interval of deep contemplation that musically reaches beyond the mortal veil to a timeless realm, beautifully executed by Ogren and the orchestra. 

Vaughan Williams' superbly orchestrated Pastoral Symphony No. 3 depicts the landscape of northern France and honors the soldiers who died there during World War I. A meditation on the harmonies of peace and memories of the fallen, its four movements continued the evocative reverie of this fifth concert of the season, including a wordless vocal solo sung by Panikkar, lovely harp infusions, a trumpet cadenza and Ogren's addition of bell sounds marking the end of the war. Visual projections complemented the music throughout the concert. 

Ogren brings heart, skill and sophisticated vision to his programming. As we enter the end of his second season with the May concerts on the May 18 and 19, it's worth repeating that we're fortunate he has joined our diverse musical community as the director of this fine professional orchestra. Ogren will conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 5 next month. For tickets and more information see www.montereysymphony.org or call (831) 646-851. Special rates available for students, teachers and active-duty military.