'Pictures at an Exhibition' a perfect end to Classical Series

On Saturday, March 26, at 8 p.m. in the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra played its final Classical Series concert of the season. Conductor Eric Jacobsen was in his usual fine form as he led a meticulous and exciting “Overture to Tannhauser” by Richard Wagner. Maestro Jacobsen has the knack to get just the right tempi for my clock and the evening, even with all the rain, started off well.

Orlando was then treated to a world premiere by Full Sail composer Keith Lay. With his “Symphony: Venus and Vulcan in America,” Lay said his composition was a “mythical revenge of the nerds that suits our time.” He added that he used “fragments of Wagner and inspiration from Ravel’s orchestration” for the Symphony. Somehow even though the piece was quite listenable, the “fragments ” were too fragmented. I never could quite get a handle where this music was headed. I kept thinking I might like to see this composition danced.

The last work before intermission was Ravel’s “Alborada del gracioso” —thereby fulfilling Lay’s inspiration for Wagner and Ravel!

The woodwinds should receive a special bravo for their excellent playing of this composition.

After intermission we heard the “piece de resistance,” the grand “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky/Ravel. This work seems always to be a winner with audiences as it was at the performance on Saturday.

The saxophone and baritone horn solos were especially well done. I must say I am sad to see the classical section of the OPO’s season come to an end, and I am anxiously awaiting the next season!