Derek Reaban

The Raphael Mendez tribute concert at Gammage this evening lived up to all of my high expectations. What a great evening!

The orchestra opened the first half with Symphony in D by Arriaga and de Falla’s Three Cornered Hat. After the intermission it was all Mendez (almost). Allen Vizzutti came out in a bright red shirt and did La Virgen de la Macarena which was loaded with splashes of technical virtuosity and plenty of high notes. Dave Hickman was next with Romanza with the most wonderful sound you can imagine. I was sitting in the balcony for the second half and his sound floated easily through the hall (what a nice musical contrast from Vizzutti’s piece). Then Jens Lindemann came out (in his bright red jacket) and spent some time talking to the audience. He was gracious, articulate, and very funny. I always enjoy hearing him speak. He prepared the audience for a technique that Mendez perfected (circular breathing) and told us that he would do his best to pull off this difficult feat. He also told us that he would be ending on a high F and that had his heart racing. He turned back to the trumpet section and said that if he started to get in trouble he could count on them to cover it for him. They all gave the thumbs up and then he started his piece, Hejre Kati. What amazing playing! The circular breathing was certainly an audience favorite (the conductor helped to play this up), and the F was pristine!

Next was an absolute treat. David Hickman has transcribed some wonderful music for the 15 piece ASU trumpet ensemble. They started with “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by Handel. Awesome! The two piccolo players on the end were just phenomenal! Dave came to the microphone and said, “You must all be wondering why we did Handel on a Mendez concert. We needed something easy to warm-up with! The Mendez pieces that we’ll be playing next are truly challenging!” The next two pieces were solos that Mendez did and Dave had to transcribe and arrange these for 15 players. He made sure everyone shared the technical responsibilities and it was clearly a high point of the evening. They did Espana Cani and Dance of the Comedians (from the Bartered Bride). The resultant tones made it up to the balcony on the last chord of the Smetana. I was amazed!

And then, Vizzutti, Lindemann, and Hickman came back out and did 3 Mendez trios and were brought back out for an encore. This was clearly a concert that I will remember for a long time!

I’m really looking forward to the masterclasses tomorrow. I’ll do my best to take good notes and write up my impressions. I can’t think of a better way to spend a vacation day.

ZeuSter

Wow, sounds like an amazing musical evening, I envy those of you who had the good fortune to be in attendance. I would have enjoyed that
very much.

Derek Reaban

My good friend Tim Moke was at the Mendez Tribute Concert on Wednesday and took some pictures. (L to R) Jens Lindemann, Allen Vizzutti, and David Hickman (with the ASU Symphony Orchestra in the background).





He was sitting beside me at the masterclasses yesterday and when he mails the photos to me I will include them in that folder. I always feel like I’m “almost” there when there is a good write up and a photo (for those of you who couldn’t attend).

Thanks Tim! Nice job!