Peter Oundjian's opening remarks focussed us on a programme by American composers. He told us of his experience just two weeks after arriving to study in New York with his violin to be playing Bernstein's New York, New York conducted by the composer himself.
John Adams' Tromba Iontana might be only four minutes long but it was an fanfare that seemed to want to build up to something but never quite did - and memorable because of it.
Peter Oundjian had left it to the American violin soloist, Robert McDuffie, to give a short introduction to Serenade after Plato's Symposium, and helpful it was. What could well have been called a concerto was based on Plato's account of a drinking party attended by Socrates and friends. Each deals with an aspect of love, be it Phaedrus, Pausanias, Aristophanes, Eryximachus, Agatho and Socrates himself. Robert McDuffie's performance gave great sensitivity and depth and ample virtuosic playing - impressive.
After the interval came the profound masterpiece that was Samuel Barber's Symphony No 1, Symphony in One Movement. Although half the audience at its first performance was not so sure, it was the making of young Barber and the start of a realisation that American composers should no longer be ignored. I loved its slow intense build up to a terrific climax.
And finally Gershwin's An American in Paris was the light hearted frolic that was a tone poem of an American's first impressions of life in a vibrant Paris. A great conclusion to a thoroughly interesting and comfortable concert of orchestral music that started life across the Atlantic during the twentieth century. I would happily hear more.
Performance: Friday 20th March 2015 at 7.30pm.