By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO — The Pathetique Symphony by Peter Ilytch Tchaikowsky was the first offering at the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra’s April 8 concert. It was dedicated to the memory of conductor David Amos’ beloved wife, Lee (known fondly as Bunny) Amos, who passed away last month.
Particularly moving were the passionate melodies in the first violins, the section Lee once led, when the orchestra was first formed, over half a century ago, in the old 54th Street JCC. She was the competent concert master of the fledgling ensemble and she also soloed with them during their early years.
Tchaikowsky felt that this sixth symphony, his final work, was his greatest, and the critics seemed to have agreed. The great Russian composer conducted its premiere himself in St. Petersburg in 1893, shortly before his death nine days later.
Although the fast tempi were not as brisk as that of the Israel Philharmonic, which performed the same work at their recent Costa Mesa concert, the warmth of the melodies, the off-kilter waltz of the second movement, the military march of the third movement, and the stirring pathos of the finale still managed to cast their magic, even though in less professional hands.
There were some beautiful clarinet soloes, especially in the first and last movements. All of TICO’s sections seemed to put their hearts into the music and that came across to the listeners.
After intermission, piano soloist Ines Irawati joined the orchestra in one of the most familiar and frequently played works in the repertoire, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto #2. She handled the solo part with technical accuracy and brought out the melodious episodes with musical skill. She infused the last movement with rhythmic momentum that propelled it to its exciting climax.
Irawati has a distinguished career as one of the San Diego region’s most illustrious pianists. She is not only a starring soloist, but is an outstanding chamber musician, performing with the highly lauded Aviara Trio. In addition, Irawati is an accomplished director, vocal coach and educator, having worked for the San Diego Opera Young Artist Training Program and served on the faculty of Point Loma Nazarene University.
TICO’s next program will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, and feature music by Handel, Glinka and Tchaikowsky as well as “Anne Frank, Portrait of a Young Girl,” by George E. Scott with the Imperial Valley Master Chorale. Selections will be conducted by TICO’s founding director, David Amos, and TICO’s assistant director, Robert Zelickman.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.