Phil Smith played “You Made Me Love You” with the Imperial Brass. Paul Goldfinger photo © Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger. Editor Blogfinger.net. March 1,2023:
This is another example of the sort of programming that creates good will for the CMA. This concert was part of the Summer Stars series which the CMA is continuing . They need to return to that travelled road that helps make the CMA popular with the majority secular resident community as well as with visitors who come to town not for religious reasons but because they love to visit the Grove, stroll our neighborhoods, walk on the boards, photograph our restored historic homes and tents, and chat with our citizens who are friendly to outsiders as they relax on their porches.
In fact porch concerts, as occur in Asbury Park, should be done here as we shift gears to a more hospitable small town secular atmosphere while supporting the CMA to be successful here as well. That is a better plan for the future of the CMA rather than the “no win” idea of a predominant Christian Seashore town a la 1869.
The concert last night was brilliant. There were about 25 wonderful brass musicians on stage. Imagine an ensemble with 5 flugelhorns?
The pieces chosen for the event were varied—some obscure (at least to me), some complex, and some familiar, but they were all performed with a high degree of professionalism, emotion and care. Despite some problems with clarity of the microphone, it only affected speech.
The music, performed with exquisite clarity and musicianship, was unamplified and enhanced by the great skill and respect afforded it by these musicians.
Phil Smith, of Ocean Grove, former principal trumpet with the New York Philharmonic, not only played, but he conducted as well, although not simultaneously.
His gorgeous tone resonated with the wooden interior of the Great Auditorium. That refers to the famous acoustics in the GA—loved by musicians and audiences alike. His technique was superb, and he got to show it off along with cornetist Mitch Brodsky in an intricate rendition of the “Cornet Duet” by Peter Graham.
This concert, the first of the 2015 Summer Stars series of classical music in the Great Auditorium, was well attended.
The Summer Stars recitals occur on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm. On July 9 is Yun-Chin Zhou, an acclaimed pianist; on July 16 Maksim Shirykov and Misuzu Tanaka—clarinet and piano duo; and on July 23, is the Solisti String Ensemble.
On July 30 will be a very special event: Gordon Turk, organist and Jason Tramm conducting the Summer Stars Festival Orchestra with “Grand Orchestra and the Great Organ.”
PHIL SMITH: A recording of “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Phil has played this Gershwin masterpiece live in the Great Auditorium on a number of occasions in the past
