The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra held its first concert of the fall season on Monday at 7:30 pm at the Myrtle Waldson Performing Arts Center. The concert was conducted by Kevin Hekmatpanner, a faculty member at Gonzaga University, and featured solos from his husband and wife duo, Jason Moody and Earekka Tregenza Moody.
The Symphony Orchestra is made up of GU students and faculty, as well as members of the local Spokane community. Many of these members of the community were his GU alumni and now perform symphonies in the Inland Northwest. Conductor Hekmatpanner believes the band’s strength lies in the multi-generational composition of the group.
“We are doing very well because we can do such a big job,” Hekmatpanah said. [players] work with older people [players]and older [players] inspired by young people [players]What’s really great is that there are many students who have graduated…and where they were once students, they are now playing as members of the community. ”
One such community member was soloist Moody. I played solo with the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra in 7th grade. So his working relationship with Hekmatpanner dates back to his 1994. Moody is now his GU faculty in the music department, and both communities have spoken about the benefits of being able to play with orchestra members. , and his students.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the orchestra. [Hekmatpanah] Conducting is a lot of fun and I always enjoy playing with a full orchestra…and sharing the stage with most of my students…this is a first for me as most of the violinists I played solo with my students, the orchestra. ”
After tuning the instruments and dimming the lights, Myrtle Waldson’s audience was mesmerized by the sound of the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra. The concert opened with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor. Hekmatpanah talked about the selection process behind this piece.
“It’s a pretty deep and intense piece and a real masterpiece for the orchestra,” said Hekmatpanah. Tchaikovsky. ”
Harpist Tregenza Moody’s solo captivated the Myrtle Woldson crowd. Moody performed a piece by Debussy titled “Sacred and Profane Dances”. Tregenza Moody’s solo was his one of contrasts, featuring both a quiet, pensive lull and a grand, drastic crescendo.
Moody’s solo piece was Ravel’s “Tzigane”, which opened with fast musical movements. Both soloists were responsible for choosing their respective songs. Moody talked about why he chose certain songs.
“This piece is really fun and really wild,” he said. It’s technically really difficult. There are all sorts of technical hurdles. Interacting with the orchestra is a lot of fun. Because the orchestra is doing these fun (but kind of weird) atmospheric effects, and the orchestra is also doing harmonics, which makes it kind of otherworldly sounding. ”
The concert ended with thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the audience. There was a sense of triumph among the GU Orchestra’s peers as the performers and conductor received accolades.
With the start of the concert season, Hekmatpanner is gearing up for the upcoming concerts.
“It’s so nice to feel like the pandemic has passed,” Hekmatpanner said. “Last year was really a year of transition, a sort of restructuring process … It was difficult to come out of a hiatus year. Come on, we really hope you have a full season… I’m really excited that this is back to our first regular season.”
The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra will hold its next concert on December 5th at the Myrtle Waldson Performing Arts Center. Internationally renowned violinist Shlomo Mintz will perform as soloist in this concert.
Zach White is a staff writer.
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