Comments for Gwen Gould Ensembles

Comment on Verdi by william eigen

william eigen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59:50 +0000

Thank goodness you have not left me with nothing but evenings watching Red Sox baseball, playing golf, taking long walks whilst listening to birdsong at sunset. I get to rock with D. Ralph, G. Gould, and G. Verdi. How good is that? How blessed am I? Very, ne’st pas?
Thank you, Gwen.
William Eigen

Comment on A by Virginia Martin

Virginia Martin — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:28:13 +0000

(Her letter was published in the Independent and the Register Star)

To the editor:

After last weekend’s incredible performance by the Columbia Festival Orchestra at PS/21 in Chatham, I just have to thank everyone who played a role in bringing that amazing event to us:

Gwen Gould and all her musicians, including of course the extraordinary vocalists;

Judy Grunberg and all the volunteers who helped make the event come off;

Everyone who’s helped support the CFO and PS/21 in any way, shape, or form;

Leonard Bernstein (why not?) and whatever energies conspired to compel him to create that magical music; and

The authors, traditionally acknowledged and otherwise, who brought us the stories behind Candide and West Side Story.

What a gift that evening was. I was humbled by it. Thanks, many times over, to all of you. Encore!

Virginia Martin, Claverack

Comment on A 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

Comment on A 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.

Comment on A 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.

Comment on A 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!!!

Comment on A 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.

Comment on A 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.

Comment on A 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.

Comment on A 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.