Quartet San Francisco

MARIN SYMPHONY BEGINS SEASON WITH LATIN FLAIR

A new 2008-2009 season for the Marin Symphony began Oct. 5 in a varied program dedicated to the connection between classical music and dance. The year’s theme is Wind Beneath The Wings, and in the opener Alasdair Neale conducted an upbeat, if not unique, set of works with Latin themes.

The first half contained Rimsky-Korsakov’s lively Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34, followed by Ravel’s Bolero. Both composers are known for their brilliant orchestrations, and the Marin musicians were in fine form. The Rimsky work, based on Spanish folk tunes and in five movements (without pause), was perhaps overshadowed by an amazing Bolero performance. The brass, percussion and woodwind sections were extraordinary. The long and gradual crescendo towards the end of the Ravel was carefully controlled by Mr. Neale, an object lesson in instrumental color, sonority and exact rhythm. The capacity audience in the Marin Center responded with a standing ovation. Just the ticket for the season’s first concert.

The last half of the concert spotlighted the appearance of Quartet San Francisco, consisting of leader/composer Jeremy Cohen and Kayo Miki, violins; Keith Lawrence, viola; and Joel Cohen, cello. Recent winners in a New York Latin music competition, this group performed a collection of dance compositions by Augustin Bardi, Matos Geraldo Rodriquez, Astor Piazzola and Jeremy Cohen. These lyrical and syncopated rhythmic pieces also featured the tango dances of Sandor and Parissa. Seth Asarnow accompanied the group on the bandoneon, an instrument closely associated with the tango. Rodriquez’ familiar La Cumparista was beguiling, made more so by the Sandor and Parissa’ scorching of the stage with their powerful dance steps.

The balanced program was an auspicious beginning to the new season, juxtaposing the familiar orchestra works with the entrancing tango sorcery and novel Latin music.