Concert Review: The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Brass

Penticton concert goers were treated to a veritable delight on Saturday night with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra's Yuletide Brass concert. From Handel to Hindemith, the program was eclectic and engaging.

Playing to a near capacity crowd in the Cleland Community Theatre, the orchestra began with that rousing seasonal chestnut, Trepak from the Nutcracker. Afterwards, we were entertained by two Christmas arrangements by Matthew Naughtin, one of which had been commissioned by the Fish on Five Brass Quintet. Naughtin's work was also featured in other arrangements during the evening and he is obviously a competent arranger.

Aptly named Yuletide Brass, the concert featured the Fish on Five Brass Quintet made up of Jim Howie and Dennis Colpitts on trumpet, Edmund House on French Horn, Wade Dorsey on trombone and Reynold Epp on tuba. The ensemble was polished which leads one to wonder if the key to success for a musical group is the time it spends in activities outside of music as these five gentlemen are indeed fishing buddies on Captain Epp's 45 foot boat. From pulsing choral sections in Good King Wenceslas to breathtaking runs and feats of technical prowess, Fish on Five was definitely a crowd pleaser.

Fish on Five Brass Quintet

The Yule season is the perfect time to raise one's voice in song and we heard several lovely solos by internationally acclaimed soprano Dawn Musselam. Not only was this singer capable in a number of languages and styles, but she was fully able to hold her own against an entire orchestra and match musical wits with piccolo trumpet player Audrey Patterson in Bach's Cantata #51.

Included in the evening were works by two 20th Century German composers: Paul Hindemith and Max Reger. Three movements of Hindemith's Tuttifäntchen, a theatrical "play with music" about a puppet fashioned from a Christmas tree, set a rather contemplative tone. This bucolic composition was a pleasure to the ears and was the perfect pairing with Reger's lushly orchestrated Maria Wiegenlied (Mary's Lullaby) beautifully sung by Musselam.

The program after intermission seemed to zip along with Handel's Pifa from the Messiah. A rolling Siciliano which was inspired by a trip to Italy, it harkens to the music of the shepherd's pipes as they come in to town from the fields. Paired with this was Gesu Bambino, sung by Musselam and brought a hush to the audience.

Maestra Thomson provided an entertaining patter while the stage was dressed and re-dressed for the appearances of Fish on Five and the various soloists. We were regaled with anecdotes about the OSO's Education and Outreach program and were encouraged to give the gift of a symphony experience. It is to be hoped that more than one Penticton stocking will contain an OSO gift card on Christmas morning. As well, the audience was invited to sing along to several songs during the evening to which those in attendance responded with enthusiasm.

Of particular note was a bright arrangement of Jingle Bells by 17 year-old James Cleveland who looks like he may have a promising career as an orchestral composer and arranger. This was followed by an irrepressible number made up of music from Christmas television specials entitled Christmas Toons. Performed by the percussion and brass sections, the latter attaching Christmas lights to their horns (and Audrey Patterson illuminating her hair) this was a particular trip down memory lane.

Leroy Anderson's timeless classic, Sleigh Ride was worth the price of admission. With its tight percussion, flawless execution and effervescent energy, it was definitely the highlight of the evening.

By the time the last number was performed, an abundance of reindeer ears, snowflake bobbles and even a halo graced the orchestra. Altogether, with its plethora of ringing horn sounds, the Okanagan Symphony's Yuletide Brass Concert was well worth braving the elements. Kudos to Maestra Thomson and the entire orchestra for bringing the Yuletide season to life.

You can find the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra online.