Guitarist’s style kicks
off symphony season

Honolulu Symphony With guitarist Christopher Parkening; Rossen Milanov, conductor In concert: 8 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Sunday Place: Blaisdell Concert Hall Tickets: $22 to $73 Call: 792-2000; or Ticketmaster, 877-750-4400 Order online: honolulusymphony.com or ticketmaster.com

What a great feeling for us to be back on stage, performing. I've mentioned it before, and I'll mention it again: It is your presence that fuels our enthusiasm. It's not just the applause, but the electricity in the air and your undivided attention as well. Music is not a one-way relationship. Performers and listeners ride the musical waves hand in hand.

And what a wave we have coming in this weekend. Superstar guitarist Christopher Parkening will take you through a twirling and moving rendition of Rodrigo's famed "Concierto de Aranjuez." It's the perfect combo: a guitar giant playing one of guitar's most popular works. It's Godzilla meets New York City, poi meets laulau or Bordeaux meets French cheese, depending on your taste.

Hard to believe the youthful Parkening has been around for 25 years. If you still need to browse his bio, just know this: The Los Angeles Times considers him America's reigning classical guitarist, and there's no stage anywhere that is unknown to him.

Despite the fame and fortune, Parkening keeps a humble profile. A few years ago, we had the privilege of hosting him in a premiere concerto by movie composer Elmer Bernstein.

The concerto was new to all of us. Even the composer didn't have a clue about how it sounded, as it was just music on paper up to that time. Once we started rehearsing, Parkening and Bernstein diligently worked out the kinks and made the music come to life. It was a true collaboration between Parkening and 80 musicians.

Rodrigo's concerto draws its name from a castle in Spain, not far from Madrid, known for its striking beauty. Rodrigo describes the 1940 work as "lingering in fragrance of magnolias, singing of birds and gushing of fountains. It is meant to sound like the hidden breeze that stirs the treetops in its parks."

My favorite moment is also one of the most recognizable tunes of all time. A gut-wrenching theme played by the English horn opens the Adagio, or slow movement. Soon after, the guitar takes over and elaborates on the motive in an improvisational style. The composer was going through a period of mourning, coping with the loss of his baby child. Perhaps he found solace in absorbing his thoughts in musical ideas.

Parkening will share the spotlight with guest conductor Rossen Milanov. With the departure of Samuel Wong, promising conductors have a chance to lead our symphony. You might not be familiar with all of them, but I guarantee they will make an impression.

A native of Bulgaria, Milanov was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as one who "bears watching by anyone who cares about the future of music." He has been associate conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2002, a prestigious position considering the reputation of this institution.

Milanov will lead the orchestra in Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." If you enjoy pieces that go boom, crash, boom, crash, "Pictures" is right for you.

In 1874 the Russian Mussorgsky organized an exhibition of art by his friend Victor Hartman. While roaming the gallery, the composer drew the idea of creating musical depictions of Hartman's work. Those "pictures" are bound by a main theme, "Promenade," present throughout the work.

When the subject is playful, as in the ballet of the chicks, Mussorgsky provides high-pitched, quick-hitting flutes. When it is frightening, for example a gnome, he uses low strings and brass. And when the majestic and triumphant Great Gate of Kiev appears, cymbals and timpani bring power to the finale.

The work would not have become popular without the French composer Ravel. Mussorgsky's "Pictures" was written for piano solo. Ravel transformed it into a grand orchestral masterpiece.

An exciting opening awaits. As always, it is the unwavering commitment of the symphony to produce great music for your pleasure.

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