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| Miguel Harth-Bedoya Music Director Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra |
The Travelling Toe recently attended the Sunday matinee performance of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Music Director, Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducted the orchestra in the three selections of the program titled "Romeo and Juliet" in honor of Valentine's Day weekend.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Bass Hall
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| Johann Strauss II |
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| Die Fledermaus operetta |
The first selection was the overture to the operetta "Die Fledermaus" by
Johann Strauss II. The operetta premiered April 15, 1874 in Vienna. It is a fun operetta and is often performed during the New Year's holiday as that is the time period when the operetta takes place.
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| Joaquin Rodrigo |
The second selection was a presentation by guest artist guitarist, Pablo Sainz Villegas. He performed Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez". Mr. Villegas played the guitar with such grace and emotion. He has such long, thin, expressive fingers. As he played the first section of the piece, allegro con spirito, The Travelling Toe could see flamenco dancers in their colorful dresses twirling around, castanets in hand. The second movement, an adagio, a slow lovely melody would melt any heart. The guitar and the English horn have a duet and it is dreamy and stirring to hear. The final movement, was again fast paced. Mr. Villegas played brilliantly and after completing the last note, the audience members immediately stood and cheered. The response to his performance was overwhelming. After acknowledging the ovations, he did play an encore and it was again magnificent. The audience would not let him leave and so he had to play a second encore. How he moves around on the strings and uses them to make different sounds is amazing. The only reason he was not called back for a 3rd time is that most audience members had to make a bee-line to the restrooms and get a drink. The Travelling Toe and seat mates were thoroughly entranced with him and sincerely hope the FWSO will engage him again soon.
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| Pablo Sainz Villegas |
Pablo Sainz Villegas
(as a side note you can find Mr. Villegas on You Tube and also purchase his CD's)
After the intermission, the orchestra played selections from Sergie Prokofiev's "Suite from Romeo and Juliet". This music has been used quite often for the ballet productions of Romeo and Juliet and we found the music quite familiar. The orchestra did a fabulous job of playing the selections and painting the picture of the story of these 2 star-crossed lovers.
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| Sergei Prokofiev |
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| Romeo and Juliet |
This was indeed one of the best concerts of the current season.
Disclaimer: The Travelling Toe is not a professional music critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.
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