THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9502020404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
The North Carolina Symphony's first appearance in Elizabeth City in two years enticed about 700 people to the College of the Albemarle - one of the largest audiences in the auditorium in a long time.
It was time and money well spent as Jackson Parkhurst conducted his 65 musicians in an ``Evening of Classical and Pops.''
It was an evening with familiar friends, music that almost everyone recognizes, even if they don't always recognize the titles.
``O Mio Babbino Caro,'' by Puccini, for instance. Most people would not know that title from third base, but the music is instantly recognizable.
The beautiful, passionate piece was the theme in ``Room With a View'' and ``Prizzi's Honor.''
It won honors as the prettiest of many pretty offerings Tuesday night.
The night was enhanced by the comments - a lot of trivia about movie music - offered by the affable maestro who decided to begin things - as happens with so many concerts - with music by Richard Wagner.
Naturally, it's a rouser. This go-'round the concert began with ``Ride of the Valkyries'' which, movie buffs, was heard often in ``Apocalypse Now.'' By the way, Elmer Fudd put words to that piece - something about ``gonna kill that wabbit.''
Parkhurst imparted all that information in a chatty, next-door-neighbor style. You listen and - lo - you've learned a little something.
We learned that he was not too thrilled with the movie ``Amadeus,'' purportedly based on the life of Mozart, although he did appreciate Tom Hulce's portrayal of the composer.
That led into ``Symphony No. 25 in G Minor.'' Mozart, yes, but the Puccini piece won hands down for beauty.
Another beautiful offering was the theme music from ``Schindler's List.'' One of John Williams multitudinous compositions, it was enhanced by Brian Reagin's beautiful violin solo.
Beauty and excitement mixed as the orchestra performed the ``Overture to William Tell'' by Rossini, a good excuse for Parkhurst to deliver the opening lines of the familiar story of The Lone Ranger.
The North Carolina Symphony went the whole nine yards, playing the entire overture. They say that a person with class is someone who can listen to the final portion without thinking of The Lone Ranger.
A nicely done, ominous offering, was the ``North by Northwest'' overture, penned by Bernard Hermann.
Ralph Hermann's arrangement of a Duke Ellington medley was beautifully crafted. And, there was a medley from ``The Music Man,'' Meredith Wilson's claim to fame.
One of Gershwin's claims to fame is ``Strike Up the Band,'' which Parkhurst did with a medley from that production.
``Here Come the Bands'' was fun. The salute to the big bands included songs of Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, etc. and - not unexpectedly - two from the Glen Miller songbook.
That was it so far as the program was concerned, but a standing ovation netted an encore. No surprise - Sousa. It was the ``King Cotton March.''
It led into Parkhurst's final piece of trivia for the night as he noted it was the music to which the ducks march when they exit the elevator of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
So there. ILLUSTRATION: SYMPHONY REVIEW
The North Carolina Symphony, presented by College of the Albemarle
Tuesday in the COA Auditorium.
by CNB