By Terry Pow
Monday, October 8, 2001
Surrounded by former students, colleagues. and friends, Philip Mason bowed out after 40 years as the Jackson Symphony Orchestra's concertmaster as only a fiddler can or should --making, music.
For his swan song Saturday night, I imagine he could have chosen any number of flashy concertos to show off his virtuosity and go out in a blaze of fireworks. He has the capability. But that's not his style.
Ever the musician of the orchestra, rather than in competition with it, he instead signed off with a little known, but beautifully executed, piece by Bela Bartok, "Two Portraits Op. 5," and as sensitive soloist in the night's showstopper, "Ein Heldenleben," by Richard Strauss.
I know I won't be alone in missing Philip Mason's undemonstrated presence and that shy smile that conceals a lifetime's discipline and devotion to making wonderful music.
To an already rich program, music director Stephen Osmond added an extra piece as the opener, Bach's "Air on a G String," in memory of all who suffered in the Sept. 11 attack.
Heaven knows, we must not forget the beautiful things of this world, and this simple, familiar melody, movingly played by the JSO strings, hit the spot.
Appropriately enough for a fiddler's evening, the concert opened with Vivaldi's "Concerto for Four Violins, Op. 3, No. 10 in B minor," Former Mason students Lisa and Michele Waits joined Shelia Smith and Edith Hines, a talented young soloist from Battle Creek, to bring Vivaldi's bright, perky tunes to delightful life.
Hines and the two Waitses then took turns performing the three movements of Mozart's "Concerto for Violin No. 4 in D Major."
It was kind of a choppy way to perform this lovely work, with an embarrasment of soloists wandering in and out, but in the spirit of the evening it came off well. Each movement was nicely shaped and the cadenzas well executed, with firm support from guest conductor Donald Hodges and the JSO.
Well rested, maestro Osmond returned after intermission to tear into the Straussian blockbuster, "Ein Heldenleben."
The JSO left no one in doubt they were up to the dynamic challenges of the six linked movements of this orchestral showpiece. The strains of the magnifcent final movement were ringing in my ears all the home.
© 2001 Jackson Citizen Patriot.
All rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission
