Back Down South

     A week ago yesterday I drove down from the snowy northeast to the sun and warmth of North Carolina.  The weather in Averill Park has continued to be very wintry, with at least three storms dumping about 15 inches of snow on my beautifully clear driveway. This year the two weeks north for skiing seemed just right. Meantime, "down south" it has been warm and spring-like. I don't miss the snow and cold at all.
     The weather down here has been very conducive to getting back into shape.  I've managed to get in three runs and two workouts in the gym - God, am I out of shape.  The jogs, workouts, and walks with the dog have at least started to make a dent in the "tire" around my waist.  I also managed to get a session on the driving range in an attempt to reconstruct my swing. On one of the runs Finn ran with me.  I'm sure he's telling all his dog friends that I slowed him down for the whole 3 1/2 miles.
      On Thursday night we had the pleasure of attending a concert at Baldwin Auditorium on East Campus of Duke University.  It was entitled "Two Shades of Blue" and featured The Duke Wind Symphony and The UNC-Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble. Despite the official title, I heard concert goers calling it "The Battle of the Bands".  It was wonderful.  Both groups were outstanding.  UNC did four pieces all of which were written in  the 20th and 21st century.  They started with a Gustav Holst number entitled "Chaconne" from his First Suite in E-flat.  It is a very accessible piece ending in a brilliant E-flat major chord.  Their next presentation was written by a Durham resident Steven Bryant; and "parodied" the Holst.  Mr. Bryant was on hand and explained his opus, which was creative and fun to listen to.  The third UNC number was entitled "Fascinating Ribbons" and used the patterns and rhythms in Gershwin's "Fascinating Rhythms"  The UNC conductor Evan Feldman took the time to explain and demonstrate how Joan Tower used Gershwin to construct her number.  It was truly fascinating.  Dr. Feldman reminded us a lot of David Allan Miller conductor of the Albany Symphony.  In taking the time to review and demonstrate portions of the number, he allowed us to better understand and enjoy it better. Dr. Feldman got his undergraduate degree at Duke, Masters at Ithaca, and doctorate at Eastman.
      The 4th composition, "Savanah River Holiday" was written in 1953 and premeired on NBC radio.  It attempts to catch the various moods of the 350 mile long river that forms the border between South Carolina and Georgia.  At the conclusion of the UNC set, the audience, led by the Duke Symphony, gave the Tarheels a "standing O".
     The Duke group performed three compositions, again all modern. The first number was entitled "Avenue X" and tried to capture the mood and vitality of a New York subway line that ends at Coney Island with its roller coaster, midway, and freak shows.  Its raucous tempo and syncopated rythms required some superior musical talent. The second, "Refections in a Tidal Pool", stood in stark contrast to the opening number.  Quiet and comtemplative it painted a picture of a seashore at low tide.  If I had a complaint with the performance, it was that the attacks at the opening of various segments were weak.  The third piece was similar to the first with a "blues" underpinning.  It featured a clarinet solo by Bryan Morgan that was outstanding.
    The bands joined together for the thrid act of the program.  Each band played their respective fight songs and then en masse played "Irish Tune fram a County Derry" and :Shepherd's Hey".  Kudos to Duke Wind Symphony Director Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant and Dr. Feldman for bring these two talented groups together.