Concert Review - Eroica Trio

Concert Review

Eroica Trio 

Zellerbach Hall - Berkeley, CA
October 24, 2003

Reviewed By = Thomas Escalante

     Like a good wine that enhances with age, the Eroica Trio made their triumphant return to the Bay Area delighting us with their unique and irreplaceable touch of elegance with the performance style that distinguishes them from the rest. These beautiful talented women happened to cross our lives in this moment in time to delight this reviewers’ clumsy human ears with glorified classical music played from the heart, soul and with prodigious hands.

     The Trio came to the diverse city of Berkeley with a very selected group of friends…The Prague Chamber Orchestra who are on their first North American tour.

     Something very special about the Prague Chamber Orchestra is that they have no conductor, yet they play in such harmony that you would truly have trouble finding a conducted orchestra which played any better. In fact, I would say that they are so good that not even the legendary Arturo Toscanini could improve them because in reality, there is nothing to improve. Out of the 30 superb musicians that make up the orchestra, each one is renowned for its exquisite precision, intonation, and balance.

The program began with the Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, Op.43

By Ludwig van Beethoven.

Performed brilliantly by The Prague Chamber Orchestra.

Then… Adela, Sara and Erica came to the stage to join The Prague Orchestra, to play the Concerto in C Major for violin, Cello, and Piano, Op.56 (“Triple” Concerto)

By Ludwig van Beethoven

Allegro.

Largo – attaca.

Rondo alla Polacca.

     After a breathtaking performance, The Eroica Trio returned to play an encore piece by the famous Argentinean Composer Astor Piazzola named – Oblivion. This music was played with the heart and soul that you could only feel by walking down the tango filled streets of Buenos Aires. I thank the Eroica Trio for bringing Class Classical Tango to the Bay Area…We are in debt with you good friends.

     After an intermission the Prague Chamber Orchestra came back to play the Beethoven Symphony No.4 in B-Flat Major, Op.60

Adagio – Allegro vivace

Adagio

Allegro vivace – Trio: Un poco meno allegro

Allegro, ma non troppo.

Highlights of the 2003 – 2004 season for the Trio will include tours throughout the States with the Prague Chamber Orchestra as well as next spring, with the Cincinnati Symphony. They will also release their sixth recording for Angel/EMI, the Beethoven “triple” Concerto with Prague Chamber Orchestra. And finally, the will perform the world premiere of a new work composed for the Trio by composer – violinist Mark O’Connor at Montalvo Center of the Performing Arts in Saratoga, California (March 2004).

Rating = 4 1/2 out of 5 Golden Bridges

Concert Review - Kenny Loggins

Concert Review

Kenny Loggins 

Villa Montalvo - Saratoga, CA
August 5, 2003

Reviewed By = Mauricio Segura

     Kenny Loggins has been cranking out hits for almost 4 decades. He's received Grammy's, gold and platinum records, and even an Oscar nomination. He's an author, a humanitarian, and a strong voice in the preservation of forests.

     One thing that you'll instantly notice if you go to a Kenny Loggins concert are his fans. I've been to plenty of concerts in my lifetime, seen some loyal music fans. But I've never seen fans more loyal to an artist than Kenny's are to him. Overhearing a few fans speaking, I was awed to hear that they had seen Mr. Loggins at least 25 times. After mingling around and talking to a few people, I found some that had seen him over 30+ times. In fact, I even met someone who said that this was going to be his 52nd Kenny Loggins concert. When asked why they would keep coming back, I got a pretty much unanimous response. "Aside from being a great entertainer and having written some of the most memorable songs of the 70's and 80's, he loves his fans, and we love him back." Most of the fans are members of his fan club, which I heard, offers some great benefits like meeting the artist prior to shows, and even special events like a Hawaii trip for New Years. It would be nice if more artists were as fan friendly as this. Two thumbs definitely up to Kenny for going that extra mile to give his fans so much of himself.

     As far as the concert was concerned. All the hype that I had heard before hand from people around me had me expecting a great show. And what did I get? I got blown away!

     To begin with, the stage set up was unlike any I'd ever seen, or expected. It was cozy. Cozy? Is that the correct way to describe the setting of a rock concert? It is for this one. In the middle of the stage there was a couch with a nice little coffee table. Next to it was a night stand with a homely looking lamp surrounded by stuffed animals. A living room in the middle of the stage...Brilliant! Only thing missing was the tv and fireplace.

     Kenny opened the show with "Conviction of the Heart", and quickly jumped into "Whenever I call you Friend", a beautiful duet he recorded in the 70's with Stevie Nicks. His lead guitarist and Bass player handled the harmonies wonderfully. Truly a couple of talented guys who just got better and better as the evening wore on.

     Diving into his much awaited new cd entitiled,"It's About Time", Kenny sang his first ever wedding song called, "With This Ring", which left the females in the crowed teary eyed. This is truly one that will be sung at weddings for years to come.

     Every once in a while, especially at a concert, you'll hear the artist sing a song that you've known for as long as you can remember, but never knew or it was he/she who wrote it. We'll that's what happened to me when Kenny began singing "Danny's Song". I've always loved the song, but never knew it was him who recorded it. It was great hearing the audience sing along at the chorus.

     The warm mood continued as we were all taken back to our childhoods to visit "Pooh Corner". Our whole section put our arms around each other and rocked back and forth just like we all did in music class in elementary school. It was a wonderful experience. And it just got better as the night wore on.

     My favorite all-time Loggins hit, "Celebrate Me Home", was played flawlessly, or so I thought. A wonderful rendition with a rare occurrence. As soon as the song began I noticed that the lead guitarist was searching for something. Soon a tech guy was with him and together they were going through different wires. Turns out one of the wires shorted out and his amplifier lost all its juice. Meanwhile, Kenny and the rest of the band continued with the keyboard player breaking into an awesome solo ending with a standing ovation. Kenny even seemed a bit surprised. In fact, after the song ended, he explained that that was supposed to be the guitarists big solo, but since the amp was down, the keyboardist (unrehearsed), came in and bailed them all out. Just then Kenny looked at his guitarist and jokingly told him that he wasn't needed any longer.

     Sitting on the couch in the living room setup, the trio sang, Wait A Little While, You're Mama Don't Dance, and This is It.

     The rest of the performance was simply toe-tapping rock and roll, as fans danced in front of the stage to such hits as Dangerzone and Footloose, before finally bringing it full circle for the final song, Forever.

     Kenny Loggins is truly an amazing performer. I can see why his fans are so loyal and keep coming back time and time again.

Rating = 5 out of 5 Golden Bridges