The 15th annual River Concert Series on the green at St. Mary’s College of Maryland opened with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, the story of justice prevailing over tyranny. Even though the weather was nearly perfect, the wind tried to carry away the music during the piece. Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag was in excellent form and commented about the orchestra members, that “some were trying to save the music of their friends, a rare and selfless act.”
The concert continued with Carl Maria Von Weber’s Der Freischutz Overture highlighted by a horn quartet. Next was Franz Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto no. 1 in C Major featuring an excellent performance by talented young cellist Julian Schwartz, who almost literally made his cello cry and received a standing ovation after his very skilled finger work in the third movement.
The evening food vendors were somewhat overwhelmed by long lines due to equipment breakdowns for two of the regular food suppliers, who will return next week.
After intermission, the audience was treated to Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna, by Franz von Suppe, featuring a lovely solo by first cellist Suzanne Orban. The audience enjoyed humming along with selections from Richard Rodger’s stage play The Sound of Music. And the melodic music of Johann Strauss, Jr.’s Roses of the South and The Emperor Waltz rounded out the concert. It was a pleasant evening and a great start to this year’s performances.
Next Friday night, the River Concert on June 28th at 7 p.m. features Sheryl-Marie Dunaway, director of the local Ballet Caliente, Brian Bourne, trombone soloist, and Zachary Silberschlag on trumpet for Peter, that Wolf & Other Wild Things. As Jeffrey Silberschlag often says “the Chesapeake Orchestra, accept no imitations.” Hope to see you there!
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