This orchestra, under the inspired direction of John Parkinson, has reached the point that word is now getting out: If you want outstanding orchestral music in the north counties, head for Lakeport.
This was amply born out during the recent 30th anniversary of Clear Lake Performing Arts, the orchestra's one and only sponsor.
Parkinson had created a program which let some of his best players shine – and they did so, brilliantly.
The concert took place at Clear Lake High School's Marge Alakszay Center in Lakeport.
It opened with a special presentation by the Konocti Fiddle Club, directed by Andi Skelton who doubles as symphony concert mistress and first violin, and consisted of a medley of bluegrass and country favorites including " Boil that Cabbage Down," "Shady Grove," "Folsom Prison Blues" and a commemorative version of "The Anniversary Waltz."saluting CLPA's birthday.
The full orchestra then took the stage with Schubert's "Rosamunde Overture," written originally in1819 to a lukewarm reception and then lost until 1867, long after the composer's early death. On its resurrection it proved to be a hit, and the CLPA audience understood why after hearing the flawless rendition by the Lake County orchestra.
Parkinson then brought together two different overtures from operas adopted from the same original playwrite – Beaumarchais – but with the music written by two completely different composers.
The first, the ever-popular "Barber of Seville" was a signature piece by Rossini and his most favored opera. This led into Beaumarchais' second play, " The Marriage of Figaro" which was adapted to opera by Mozart decades earlier than Rossini's "Barber." Under Parkinson's skilled direction, and the skills of half a hundred musicians, the talents of both composers were amply displayed;
After the melodic offerings of Mozart and Rossini, Jacques Offenbach's thunderous opening to "Orpheus in the Underworld" jolted the audience wide awake with clashing cymbals, before lulling into dreamlike melodic sequences captured perfectly by the blended woodwinds and strings of the orchestra. It culminated in a light-hearted rendition of the well-known "can-can" later adopted by several generations of follies dancers.
Following intermission, with complimentary cookies and juice served by the ladies of the CLPA Auxiliary, the CLPA Youth Orchestra, directed by Wes Follett, presented their string version of the traditional Blue Ridge tune "Cripple Creek," after which the annual auction of the conductors baton took place, with last year's winner Richard Birk surrendering the piece to new winning bidder Erhard Arndt of Kelseyville.
Arndt's winning bid was for $650 which gave him the right to mount the podium and lead the orchestra in a reprise of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" which he declined to do, opting instead to defer conducting duties to 13-year-old Corey Thomas, who is a CLPA scholarship recipient and also a member of Andi Skelton's Konocti Fiddle Club.
Mozart's "Serenade in D, No. 6" provided a perfect opportunity for individual members of the orchestra to demonstrate their talents, since it includes such interesting instrumentation as a quartet with strings and timpani. The quartet was made up of John Weeks, cello; Rick McCann, viola; with Andi Skelton and Jeff Ives on violin. Ives usually is seated in the cello section, but this time shifted – with great expertise – to violin. They were supported by Tim Ellis on timpani.
The final symphonic selection was Haydn's Symphony No. 104, the last of the 12 symphonies written by the composer during his final visit to London. It is generally conceded to be the crowning achievement of Haydn. Presented in four movements, it established a benchmark for symphonic composition that endures to this day.
The program ended with a well-deserved standing ovation from those in attendance.
Following the concert nearly a hundred CLPA and orchestra members retired to the theater building at the Lake County Fairgrounds for a no-host catered barbecue buffet and the chance to toast both Clear Lake Performing Arts and the Lake County Symphony on their three decades of providing fine music to Lake County.
Charter member Mildred Pickersgill provided a brief background for both groups. She was also a member of the orchestra for 20 years.
The symphony's next appearance will be the annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m., also at Clear Lake High School.
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