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Two longer works benefited from first-class arrangements by Donald Hunsberger. "Rhapsody in Blue," using only about 20 wind instruments, sounded much as this work must have in its original 1924 version for Paul Whiteman's band.
Pianist Sayaka Kanno was best in the lyrical sections -- she had plenty of raw power when needed, but too often was subsumed into the ensemble when everyone played together.
"Porgy and Bess" excerpts featured outstanding full-ensemble playing in "Fugue" and "Hurricane." Soprano Alice Dillon was moody and sensitive as Clara singing "Summertime," and deeply sorrowful as Bess in "My Man's Gone Now."
Baritone William Johnson got the rollicking rhythm of Porgy's "Oh I Got Plenty o' Nuttin' " right, but swallowed some of the words. He was more effective hamming it up as Sportin' Life in "It Ain't Necessarily So."
The many families attending the concert at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria wound up with an out-of-the-ordinary Mother's Day treat.
-- Mark J. Estren
