4/19 Friday. 7:30pm. A free community concert at Benaroya Hall.
A good turn out: ~80% full. Program:Max Dawes - Creation Swil Kanim - Father Distant Daughter Sergei Prokofiev - Troika from Lieutenant Kijé, Op. 60 Astor Piazzolla - Libertango Paul Chiyokten Wagner - Kwaanuk Janice Giteck - Potlatch Symphony 2020Dawes is a 21 year old senior student at Cornish College of the Arts. He conducted his own composition. The structure is violin with a background orchestra with increasingly loud harmony. The violin is a bit weak, not as pretty as the background. Overall, quite nice.
The violin of Kanim is a solo. I like his vest.
Then drumming noise came in from the lobby. Soon 2 lines of indigenous people, some in straw hats (I like those) and few in traditional attire filed in onto the isle and then to the stage, while drumming. One in wheelchair. For some unknown reason, some audience member decided to stand up and watch them, blocking the view of those behind them.
Then, Chiyokten played a flute solo. It's an interesting flute with a distinct sound.
However, his breathing is too loud.
Last, the world premier of Potlatch, simulating a gift giving ceremory, where Chiyokten narated a story of two sisters, acompanied by the orchestra. I didn't care of Chiyokten's voice. The story is okay, fairly simple with a good message, but could be better told, or written. The melody is not more or less classical.
Sunny Xia is the conductor tonight. I like her.
The whole thing with some speeches lasted ~an hour. Overall, I enjoyed the concert. I appreciate the effort to foster new works, and the promotion of traditional teachings.
