review

IOn June 24 the Asociacion Nacional de Conciertos commenced its year with a gala of the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra of the New England Conservatory under the dynamic direction of the celebrated Benjamin Zander, one of the directors of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The Asociacion Nacional de Conciertos is composed of a group of Panamanian residents under the leadership of Terrance Ford that are specifically interested in promulgating in Panama and bringing to Panama a yearly season of Concerts & Chamber Music. Each year they will present a series of musical concerts.

The season that started with this spectacular presentation will include five more shows: 10 July Daedalus String Quartet, 22 July Youth Orchestra of the Americas, 29 July Miro Quintet Ensemble of Wind Instruments, 7 August pianist Alping Hong, and 24 September European Union Chamber Orchestra.

The opening night's presentation had a mixture of the Panamanian Youth Orchestra and the New England Conservatory Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. They were superb. A young Violinist, Stefan Jackiw, was the illustrated performer for the evening. It was his last night playing with this orchestra. He now moves on to getting his education at Harvard. We will hear much of this young man. For those out there wishing to know more of the Asociacion Nacional de Conciertos, their future presentations, or membership please call 214-7236 or email them at luvmusic@sinfo.net. Yearly membership is only $120, but one can attend these functions without being a member at a very nominal fee. The Anayansi Hall in the ATLAPA was filled to capacity last night.

It was a magnificent presentation of Tchaikhovsky's Fantasy Overture from Romeo and Juliet, Mozart's Violin Concert No. 5 in Major, k. 219, Paganini's Rondo a la Clochette "La Campanella" and Bartok's Concert for Orchestra. As a final surprise Benjamin Zander and his mix of the two youth orchestras presented a soul- stirring rendition of John Phillip Sousa's "Stars & Stripes Forever" in tribute to the USA. It was an incredibly rousing end to a pleasant and enjoyable evening.


In addition to having good taste in music, Charly Garcia practices dentistry in Panama City and lives part of the time in the city and part of the time in El Valle. The son of a Canal Zone judge, he worked for the US Army at Gorgas and Coco Solo hospitals and in Germany before returning here to live and work.



Also in this section:
Cool Internet sites
Philharmonic Youth Orchestra of the New England Conservatory
The Directory of Important Bird Areas in Panama
BBC's "Israel's Secret Weapon"

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