CENTERblog

Great Music featuring Chu-Fang Huang, Piano
by Kyla Cook - Chugiak High School

On March 27, Anchorage Symphony orchestra provided an almost-full house with three great pieces, as well as some special surprises.

Among the songs performed was Maurice Ravel’s concerto in G major for piano and orchestra. This proved a special treat, because the orchestra was joined by Chu-Fang Huang, a Chinese pianist, and winner of the Cleveland international Piano competition. She came on stage with high expectations and an elegant up-do, and left the stage meeting those expectations as well as causing her hairstyle to come undone with her passion for the music, which led to more movement than her hair could take. She played hunched over the piano, and at times she seemed possessed by the music. When the orchestra stopped and Chu-Fang Huang played alone you could see the music pulsing through her body, and hear it pulsing through the audience.

Also performed was An Orkney Wedding at Sunrise, the orchestral account of an actual wedding attended by composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. According to the program notes the piece begins with guests arriving to the celebration, continues through a solemn ceremony and tipsy reception, and finishes with a glorious Orkney sunrise. The Sunrise was represented by bagpipes, played by Joe Albrecht.

Along with the bagpipes and Chu-Fang Huang at piano, the third highlight of the evening was unmistakably Randall Craig Fleischer’s energetic conducting style. He wasn’t afraid to jump up and down and move his whole body to the music. You could tell he had gotten his exercise for the evening when he had to pause between songs to mop his forehead.

Overall, the Symphony’s Great Music Concert was filled with just that: great music. But the best part of the evening was bagpiper Joe Albrecht, pianist Chu Fang Huang, and conductor Randall Craig Fleischer.

Great Music featuring Chu-Fang Huang, Piano
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, March 27, 2010 @ 8pm
Atwood Concert Hall