Classical guitarist shines in orchestra concert David Leisner displays a superb command of guitar at a recent concert
by George C. Ford
David Leisner showed at a recent concert why he is considered one of the finest classical guitarists in the world.
Leisner joined Maestro Timothy Hankewich and the Cedar Rapids Symphony/Orchestra Iowa in a memorable performance of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." Displaying a superb command of his instrument, Leisner played with a vibrancy and flair that was a perfect complement to the symphony. His musical dialogue with the violins and cellos was crisp and clean.
The audience in Sinclair Auditorium responded with generous applause, showing their appreciation for a true musical artist.
The symphony opened its third Masterworks concert of the season with Respighi's "Trittico Botticelliano," a composition that paints a musical picture of three paintings by Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli. The second movement contains the familiar Advent plainchant "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," suggesting the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem.
From Italy, the music shifted to England for Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 104 in D Major or "London." The symphony performed Haydn's composition with passion and precision, amply demonstrating why the selection was artistically and financially a success for the 18th century composer. The energy present in the works of Respighi and Rodrigo also was evident in the Haydn symphony.
The final selection for the concert was Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 in D Major or "The Classical," a nostalgic composition that sounds as though it was written much earlier than the 20th century.
Kudos are in order for the strings for their bravura performance. Prokofiev included a second movement passage played on the tips of violin bows, "con eleganza," and the strings were more than up to the task.
The Masterworks concert was repeated at the Englert Theater in Iowa City, believed to be the first time the ensemble has performed in that venue. With the Paramount Theatre and Hancher Auditorium closed because of the June floods, the orchestra is taking its music to new locations -- and hopefully new audiences.
