The Conroe Symphony Orchestra Honors American Music with 'Great Expectations'

CONROE, TX -- With the title of ‘Great Expectations,’ you would expect Charles Dickens would be involved, but wipe that thought from your mind. The great American composers of the 20th Century, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gerswhin, were powerhouses that started to fuel the American musical psyche in the early 1920’s; writing with the same vim and vigor as Our Nation’s Founders, with all parties declaring their independence from the Old Masters of across the pond. And it’s quite evident that it takes a while for a nation to cut its musical tooth, after all; when Baroque music was starting on scene in the 1600’s, the explorers that sailed to Our New World, like La Salle, didn’t even have a chance to draw up plans for a French bakery in Navasota. The Conroe Symphony Orchestra (CSO) provided a great reason for gathering at their third concert of the 2024-2025 Season, and as always, we demand ‘Great Expectations,’ from Conductor Gary Liebst and his West Side Gang, and they delivered. The New World music of Copland, Bernstein, and Gershwin; all American born, and a generation removed from the Old World, were destined to make music that reflected Our Great Land, with its manifest destiny and beauty, creating incredible sounds that are representative of our vast open spaces, our big cities, and the Americans who inhabit our terra from sea to shining sea.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra also invited soloist Renée Rybolt, a beautiful lady with an incredible voice that entertained a jaw-dropped audience with a heartfelt passion. Ms. Rybolt plays many musical roles, including being a certified conductor, soprano soloist, choral singer, and private voice teacher. She resides with her family in the Houston area, and has played numerous venues throughout the region. Tingting Yao, the staff pianist at Sam Houston State University, was asked to play several solo piano portions of George Gershwin’s work. She has played in venues across The World, and on more continents than most of us have been too. Tingting has been the pianist for numerous CSO concerts.

Conductor Gary Liebst, as in normal practice, started the concert off with our national anthem, ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ which always gets the blood pumping with great expectations for a wonderful concert. It was incredible to hear the standout voices of the chorally trained audience members as they rendered the product of their beautiful vocals.

The great American Composer Emeritus Aaron Copland, was first out of the block. Liebst, which means ‘Love’ in German, started the CSO off several movements from his Rodeo ballet. ‘Buckaroo Holiday,’ the Allegro con spirito intro begins like a network's election or presidential debate night theme of the past, presenting itself clean and crisp. The cymbals crashing mean business, and it gives you the feeling of cowboys trying to chase down some wild mustangs, with the variations on the theme introducing new elements that enhance the strength of the piece causing more excitement by the moment. The Meno mosso cuts back on instrumentation and pacing, like a deer peering at you unalarmed, while feeding off a grove of trees. It has a rhythmical swing indicative of a rest after a hard day of chasing mustangs. The Poco più mosso picks up the pace. Rest is over, it's time to hit the trail. There is an Allegro with an increasing cheery intensity. Anticipation. A cymbal here, a woodblock there, then bam! It hits you, feeling like your hurriedly herding cattle in a John Wayne film. It gives way to a reprise of the intro, remember the election music, with continued variations on the theme, this time more elaborate and entertaining. With the French Horns and Bassoons at the same tempo, it sounds like frogs chirping, and by design at that. The humorous trombone with the first of those famous pauses hits, which if you're not used to it; could cause an eyebrow to raise, or a kid to take attention away from their cell phone; probably not. But it’s neat. No one would expect a short perky clarinet solo, but it's there, and it works. Then another variation on theme, this time with the humor ridden trumpets. Pause. The bassoon motif is precious. Then it continues in intensity which is spectacular. Then it backs down to a Meno mosso reprise. Copland is brilliant in introducing a new melody, before returning to the theme, then hints of ‘Hoe Down’ crop up making it even more fun. It’s truly the work of a master. A man, even though he is big city born, is still able to embrace the American West and truly bring it to life.

Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man,’ of all the fanfares written for the ruling kings, queens, etc., this piece is more majestic than all of them combined. And let’s not forget the women who played an incredible part in defeating the enemies of World War II on the homefront. The timpanist and bass drum have important jobs in the piece, in setting the tone. The grandeur of its presentation. For the CSO it was an incredible moment. It really represents America’s triumph over adversity presented at the time. It’s definitely goosebump-ish music, and the dynamism offered is breathtaking. And it really has special meaning if you lived through the period, and supported the men and women who served Our Nation armed forces at that troubling time.

The brilliance of Leonard Bernstein enabled him to compose, conduct, play and teach. There are tons of videos out there of him lecturing, even teaching a Masterclass at Harvard (The Unanswered Question) in 1973. Bernstein’s teaching manner was very professional, and it’s incredible how he engages with other disciplines to find the true meaning of music. The series of six lectures is dedicated to his philosophy professor David Prall, and he delves into ‘musical man,’ and his entrance to the 20th Century.

Bernstein lived in a time before the internet or cell phones, and people yearned for entertainment. There was the wireless (radio), films, local theater, and bands/orchestras of all types. And don’t forget the library where you could escape reality via a book. The films at the picture show, with its fancy conditioned-air, was always a treat, especially during the summer months. Bernstein’s support for Israel was evident even before it became an official state, conducting the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In the 1950’s Leonard’s works on the Broadway stage began the real greatness of his work, with the success productions of ‘Wonderful Town,’ 1953, and ‘Candide,’ 1956, culminating with ‘West Side Story,’ 1957, an update of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ set on NYC’s Upper West Side. The success of WSS led to the famous film in 1961, and its re-make in 2021.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra played four Bernstein’s works, ‘Overture to On The Town;’ you know the song ‘New York, New York,’ famously sung by Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Jules Munshin. Selections from West Side Story, such as ‘I Feel Pretty,’ ‘Tonight,’ and ‘America.’ Then ‘Mambo,’ was awesome, and even Conductor Libest prompted the audience to yell it. MAMBO!! It was fun. But it was ‘Cha Cha,’ the cute short little chamber piece that brought Tony and Maria together at the gym dance, where everything is done so delicately. The violin and piano pizzicato is representative of the steps taken, with just a touch of tambourine, and a dash of Maracas. Everything just clicked in that head spinning moment, all steps necessary to entrancing each other, because all couples have to have an initial meeting. Bravo CSO, Bravo!

Soloist Rybolt sang pieces from the ‘Gershwin Medley,’ arranged by Bill Holcombe, which included such favorites as, ‘I Got Rhythm,’ ‘Someone to Watch Over Me,’ and 'Strike Up the Band!’ Rybolt’s aria rendition of ‘Summertime,’ from Porgy and Bess, (which in 1935 failed commercially, but was revived by the Houston Grand Opera in 1976, and is now legend) was stunning, her ‘A’s’ were reflective of her great talent, and showed how she can be pulled in numerous directions at the same time, and still be totally professional in her performance. The CSO’s play in this portion of the program was excellent, and their hard work is much appreciated. Renee’s performance was memorable. Conroe bows to you, Madame.

The final Gershwin piece, ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ arranged by Jerry Brubaker, was amazing. It’s hard to believe that it’s over 100 years old yet still draws on the imagination. Some may retort that it puts the “Sin In Syncopation.” Cover those ears? No way. The clarinet announces the piece's sensuality, and doesn’t let it go. The work shows Gershwin's party boy attitude, and if he hadn’t died young, his body of work could have been labeled much differently. Thankfully, Gary Liebst returned several piano solos to the piece usually avoided. He wanted to showcase the talent of the great SHSU staff pianist Tingting Yao, who thoughtfully gives of her time and talent for the enjoyment of playing beautiful music for the audience's enjoyment. Yao’s performance and command of the piano and the performance of the CSO make’s one feel like they are in Carnegie Hall. Bravo!

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, the Spikes Group, and the City of Conroe, Chair Sponsors, and Individual donors. The CSO was founded in 1997, and was created to contribute to the cultural enrichment of Conroe and the county as a whole, assuring a better quality of life for everyone in the area.

The next concert is ‘The Best of Broadway,’ to be performed on April 26th.

The CSO website is: conroesymphony.org Please consider donating to this wonderful organization.

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net