Concert review: Prevailing Winds shows off skills

On Monday, July 7, members of the Orlando Philharmonic played a delightful program at the Plaza Live Theater in Orlando featuring Prevailing Winds’ reed instrument players.

The first half of the program consisted of the lengthy but jolly Trio in E-flat major by Beethoven — for clarinet, bassoon, and piano — a piece in which my beloved wife has played French horn many times in its original Septet form.

Prevailing Winds, with unflagging good style and impressive musicality showed admirable versatility. Especially noteworthy was the lightning fast and accurate piano playing of guest artist and Rollins professor Keiko Andrews. Bassoonist Diane Bishop and clarinetist Jackie Glazier played flawlessly.

After intermission came Bohuslav Martinu’s Nonet No. 2 for winds and strings, a piece incapable of arousing much audience response.

The evening’s closing number, Sextet for winds and piano by Francis Poulenc injected engaging energy, rhythmic invention, and fun to end the evening in high applause. Exposed passages by hornist Mark Fisher and oboist Jamie Strefeler were masterfully performed.

On July 21, at the Plaza Live Theater Philharmonic players will present “There’s Nothing Like A Dame” — music both composed and performed by women! For more information call 407-770-0071.