Comments on: A Bernstein Celebration

By: Sheila Silver

Sheila Silver — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:31:51 +0000

How great to hear the CFO again and to experience Gwen’s superb conducting. One of the players during intermission told me how much the musicians enjoy playing with her because she creates a respectful environment in which they can express their personal creativity. Not all conductors can do this and still maintain control, but Gwen was definitely at the helm as she led the orchestra through all of those tricky rhythmic passages. This is difficult music and the orchestra played with flair and enthusiasm.

I miss the CFO. We lost something wonderful. Let’s reincarnate it for Columbia County.

Sheila Silver, Composer

By: Grace Wilner

Grace Wilner — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:39:14 +0000

Thanks to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for bringing back the CFO in a wonderful performance of Leonard Bernstein’s work. The soloists were fabulous and Amanda Boyd’s courageous and beautiful rendition of Cunegonde in Candide brought down the house. I was also most impressed by Gwen’s ability to bring together the musicians, probably on short notice, in the demanding West Side Story’s orchestral pieces. Altogether, a great, inspiring evening.

By: Karen Jahn

Karen Jahn — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:32:13 +0000

What could be better on a Sunday afternoon in July than to hear a fine orchestra and singers celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bernstein’s West Side Story? Amanda Boyd sang Cunegunde’s role in Candide, its sardonic opening as fully realized as the soaring bel canto. That she stepped in at the last minute made her soaring performance more magical. The rich colors of the exuberant orchestra complemented the six fine singers and evoked dancers in their suite. Many thanks to Judy Grunberg, Gwen Gould, and their many volunteers for making this happen.

By: Vic Meyers

Vic Meyers — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:08:15 +0000

What a wonderful evening. How do they do it? Bring back the CFO!!!

By: Rose Ross

Rose Ross — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:49:57 +0000

How fortunate we are to live in a community that can give us the magic of a Gwen Gould and a visionary like Judy Grunberg.

The Sunday performance was nothing less than pure joy.

By: Arther Frederick

Arther Frederick — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:12:15 +0000

The orchestra was in rare form for the Bernstein celebration on July 7. And the vocal soloists were extraordinary. Special mention must be made of Amanda Boyd, who jumped in to learn and then sing the Cunegonde role for the first half of the concert when Nancy Allen Lundy became ill. A superb performance by all.

By: Jill & Jim Salerno

Jill & Jim Salerno — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:06:28 +0000

Those who missed these concerts missed a season highlight. Vocalists, conductor and orchestra were in top form and the result was a thoroughly entrancing couple of hours. The accoustics of PS21 are superb and no one in the audience, no matter where they sat, missed a note. The heroine of the concerts probably was Amanda Boyd who, at a moment’s notice, stepped in and did both the very demanding Candide vocal solos as well as the West Side Story vocal work she had contracted to do. This whole musical experience was a wonderful place to be and we’re very grateful to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for making this possible.

By: Mary Gail Biebel

Mary Gail Biebel — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:06:26 +0000

Yesterday’s Bernstein concert at PS/21 was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. The talented musicians conducted by Gwen Gould were obviously delighted to be working with her again. Candide and West Side Story have held up well. The orchestra gave a stellar performance and the vocalists were delicious! I think that I speak for everyone who attended when I say that I didn’t want the concert to end. Thanks, Gwen, for making it all happen.