Winds show another great tribute to Bob Briggs

By Kathleen Whalen | Daily Republic correspondent | May 06, 2009 11:26
This has been a difficult season for the Solano Winds Community Concert Band, as they pay tribute to the memory of late founder and director Bob Briggs, who died in September 2008.

Friday evening they honored his memory with musical choices that reflected his tastes.

The evening opened with one of his favorites, John Phillip Sousa's 'The U.S. Field Artillery March.' Briskly paced and played with easy confidence, this selection gave promise of what was to come.

Next on the bill were dances from Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky's little known opera 'The Oprichnik' in which fragmented melodies and abrupt tempos evoke the mercurial nature of the Slavic temperament. The woodwinds, clarinets in particular, acquitted themselves admirably as, in the second dance, with fingers flying, they surged toward a fiery finish.

Though most assume the familiar 'Danny Boy' to be a traditional Irish air, this is only partly true. While the tune dates back to the early 18th century, the words were written in 1910, and by an Englishman living in the United States.

Nevertheless, it was quickly adopted as the unofficial signature song of the Irish Diaspora, and it remains one of the most powerful, and moving, expressions of the nostalgia of ŽmigrŽs.

Conductor Bill Doherty eschewed easy sentimentality and instead offered a restrained, even sober reading that I, for one, found refreshing.

The Solano Winds is known for the superb playing of its gifted and dedicated musicians. What is less well known is that Briggs, and now Doherty, encourage contributions from the wonderful composers in its midst.

Clarinetist Clyde Vaiani's witty variations on 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' moved from lyrical to march-like, from symphonic to jazzy as he imagined how composers from J.S. Bach and Ludvig von Beethoven through George Gershwin would have handled the tune.

Closing out the first half was an exciting, if unexpected, piece. Though written by Modest Moussorgsky for solo piano, most of us know (and love) the version of 'Pictures at an Exhibition' orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.

After hearing Mark Hindley's adaptation, however, it's clear it should have been written for a concert band all along. Eliminating stringed instruments gives the piece a powerful yet measured austerity that is utterly convincing.

Several of the sections, including the 'Promenade,' 'Hut on Fowl's Legs' and 'Great Gate of Kiev' benefited from the strength and power of the lower brass, most notably the trombones.

I, along with many others, hope this becomes a staple in the Solano Winds repertoire.

Briggs loved overtures, so it was fitting the second half of the concert opened with Felix Mendelssohn's 'Overture to a Midsummer Night's Dream.' Shakespeare's magical kingdom came to life as vivacious flutes and clarinets evoked the fairy kingdom of Oberon and Tatiana, lyrical oboes bespoke romantic love, and trumpets and French horns called hounds to the hunt.

The next piece on the program could be described as an unfamiliar piece filled with familiar tunes. The 'Pineapple Poll Suite' is an arrangement by Charles Mackerras of a medley of tunes from W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan light operas. Some in the audience began to hum along as they recognized arias from such favorites as the 'Mikado,' 'Princess Ida' and 'Ruddigore.'

Audience participation continued during the 'South Pacific (Symphonic Scenario),' an arrangement by Robert Russell Bennett and R. Mark Rogers of music from Richard Rodger's 'South Pacific.'

The big band era came to life as trumpets and saxophones swung in 'There Is Nothin' Like a Dame' and 'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,' while lyrical clarinets and flutes stole the show in 'Bali Ha' and 'Some Enchanted Evening.'

Throughout, however, audience members happily sang along -- at least as long as they remembered the words.

The concert ended with another of Briggs' favorites, the 'Armed Forces Salute.' This march contains the anthems of all of the armed services, and Doherty invited former and current service members to stand and sing when they heard their service's song. Many did, including some members of the concert band, and were rewarded with grateful applause.

This concert, and this season, have been dedicated to the memory and legacy of Briggs. The group he founded, and the community for whom they play, alike will miss him.

But the Solano Winds will honor him as, under the leadership of Doherty, they continue to grow, seek out new musical challenges, and support young local musicians. As long as there is a Solano Winds concert band, the memory of Briggs will live on.

Kathleen Whalen is a free-lance writer living in West Sacramento. She can be reached at kw1954ohio@yahoo.com



Solano Winds Community Concert Band

Concert Celebrating the Legacy of Bob Briggs

3.5 stars out of 4