By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO — Assistant conductor Robert Zelickman led the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) in a crisp, nuanced and energetic reading of Saint-Saens’ March Militaire Francais to start off the matinee Pops Concert in the Synagogue’s Cohen Social Hall.
The August 10 program attracted a large audience, enjoying the lighter fare. Zelickman continued to direct the danceable, idiomatic Blue Tango by Leroy Anderson, a favorite of the Boston Pops conductor, Arthur Fiedler and Tahiti Trot, a Shostakovitch parody on Youmans’ Tea for Two. Both received well-rehearsed readings.
Next, a more serious turn, the fourth movement from Symphony #3 by an unfamiliar Ukrainian compose, Boris Lyatoshynsky (1894-1968), entitled, Peace Will Conquer War.
Apparently, he was well-known in the USSR and taught composition at the Kyiv and Moscow Conservatories. This particular symphony, however, was denounced by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union as being anti-national and formalistic. It was conducted by TICO’s assistant principal violist, Franklin Au, who proved himself to be as well adept with the baton as he is with the viola bow. The work was dramatic, with heavy textures and interesting rhythmical contours.
The final work on the first half was Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, featuring two San Diego State University undergraduates, Yilin Diven Zhu and Yiheng Li at the two pianos and David Amos, founder and director of TICO, on the podium. Instead of using the Ogden Nash poetry, which is often done to introduce each segment, Amos had his friend, Micah Levy, create new verses, which were read with clear diction by TICO’s Manager, Steve Foster.
Before Steve Strand, principal cellist, played a nice rendition of The Swan, Foster read,
“Why am I so very sad right now?
While all my lovely friends enjoy such mirth?
I’ll tell you straight out so that you’ll know,
It’s because I’m very worried ‘bout the earth.”
Prior to the Finale, Foster read,
When all is said and done,
The orchestra is made up of many
Who play together as one.
The world of life, of plants and animals is the same, it would seem.
For us all to survive,
We must protect all the members of our team.
The two student pianists, supported by TICO, did a fine job throughout the work, especially giving enthusiastic vigor to the joyful finale.
After intermission, concertmaster Bryce Newall entered as soloist in the first movement of Summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, but not before adding some humor to his performance by donning a Hawaiian shirt and white wig to resemble the Baroque composer. His violin convincingly imitated the buzzing insects, the summer heat and the warbling birds, accompanied by TICO’s string section.
Zelickman was once again on the podium for the entire second half of the program. The selections from The Wizard of Oz rendered familiar tunes. The tuba solo was notably well played by Tuba Jim.
The seven movements of Gounod’s Ballet Music from Faust provided a beautiful conclusion to this Pops Concert.
Of course, the final work was the traditional Sousa March, The Stars and Stripes Forever. and included the flute and piccolo section all standing and playing their piccolo obligato with gusto.
David and Robert are to be congratulated on the fine job they do with this volunteer amateur orchestra of loyal, talented players. Tifereth Israel Synagogue should be proud of housing this wonderful, important cultural asset of the East San Diego community.
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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.