AL.com reviews World Premiere of 'Fanfare'

"Fung's fanfare, a five-minute burst of orchestral color that ranged from harmonic clusters to tinkling percussion, piano and harp, had McElroy at its heart with its plaintive, reflective trumpet solos."- Michael Huebner, AL.com Followers of the Alabama Symphony may look back on this weekend as one of the most pivotal in its history.Friday's concert at the Alys Stephens Center, the first of two in the final Masterworks program of the 2013-14 season, began with a tearful farewell to principal trumpeter John McElroy, who is leaving devoted listeners with one final memory after a storied four-decade career. The world premiere of Vivian Fung's "Fanfare to McElroy" tied directly to it, and to ASO's undaunting devotion to new commissions from well-known composers. On the podium was Case Scaglione, the 31-year-old New York Philharmonic associate conductor whose crisp baton and nuanced interpretations have given him an edge on the parade of talented guest conductors during the orchestra's music director search. Add to that the technical wizardry and sweet lyricism from violinist Tai Murray in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, and an electrifying performance of Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5, and you have a unbeatable combination.

McElroy's 15-minute introduction acknowledged some of ASO's most influential movers, shakers and rescuers past and present, including Marvin Engel, Dell Brooke, Elton B. Stephens, Gloria Moody, Daniel Szasz, the four music directors he has performed under, and the orchestra that has supported him through the good times and bad. Fung's fanfare, a five-minute burst of orchestral color that ranged from harmonic clusters to tinkling percussion, piano and harp, had McElroy at its heart with its plaintive, reflective trumpet solos.- by Michael HuebnerRead more...