Performances worth hearing ... and seeing

Two compositions premiered at the performance.
By JEROME K. STEPHENS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Can music convey a visual image? I have believed so, and it doesn't always need words. Of course, it can convey a mood, and the mood is often connected with the image.
"Music and the Visual Image" was the theme of the Dana New Music Festival XXII concert sponsored by the New Music Society on Wednesday evening at Youngstown State University's Bliss Recital Hall. There were several recent compositions on the program, including two world premieres. These were a string orchestra version of "El P & aacute;jaro Errante" ("The Wandering Bird"), composed by Dr. Robert Rollin of the Dana faculty, and "Romance for B flat Clarinet and String Orchestra," by Johnterryl Plumeri, who was the principal guest composer/conductor at the event.
Background
Plumeri is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He played string bass in the National Symphony for five years and directed a jazz band in Baltimore for two years. He then moved to Hollywood to compose music for films. Since 1990 he has composed 55 film scores. He also serves as principal guest conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic.
The "Romance for Clarinet and Strings" was composed for and played very well by clarinetist Robert Fitzer of the Dana faculty. It is, as stated by the title, a romantic style piece, and sort of contemplative in mood, but the clarinet solo part had a lively contemplative mood.
Two other compositions by Plumeri were on the program. One was "Evening Light," performed by Dana faculty member Kathryn Umble on the flute and Jamie Lewis on the piano. This work successfully conveyed the picture of an evening with the sun setting with a great display of color.
The other was "Two Poems for Dance." This was in two parts: Rush Hour, which was like a frantic two-hour commute in the Washington area, and Dusk, which conveyed the idea of a bittersweet repose after reaching home, with the knowledge that the whole thing would have to be repeated the next day.
Frequent guest
Kathy Henkel, who lives in Los Angeles and has been a welcome guest at several Dana New Music Festivals, was also present. Her harp piece, "Book of Hours," was played by harpist Kirk Kupensky. This composition is based on, and conveys an image of, the Medieval illuminated manuscripts of devotions commissioned by the wealthy. Kupensky commissioned this piece and premiered it at an International Harp Society conference.
Henkel's "Moorland Sketches" was inspired by the English moors. Two movements were played: Springtime (Youth), and Moonshadow and Firelight. This last was especially successful in conveying the intended image. It was written for English Horn and String Quartet, and was performed by Dana Faculty member Tedrow Perkins and members of the Festival Chamber Orchestra.
Rollin conducted the Festival Chamber Orchestra in the premiere of his "El P & aacute;jaro Errante" (The Wandering Bird) in a new version for violin and string orchestra. Gwyneth Rollin, also on the Dana faculty, played the solo violin part. The piece is in memory of the late Dr. Raoul Ronson, former President of Seesaw Music Corporation.
While the program was mostly devoted to the compositions of Plumeri and Kathy Henkel, one other piece was also performed. This was "I can Smell the Sea Air" from "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Andr & eacute; Previn.
The concert was very good, and I found it to be very enjoyable. It shows that there is more going on in Youngstown than people know. You just have to look.