BIRDS SING IN PAINE

CORINNE S. CRAWFORD PLAYS CELLO AT THE MSO CONCERT AT PAINE HALL, FEBRUARY 20, DIR. BY ROBERT LEHMANN: "We're here, and we're ready to perform for you!" declared the Mozart Society Orchestra (MSO) as it started off with J. S. Bach's Overture to the Orchestral Suite in D Major. With dignified energy, MSO grabbed the audience's attention from the very beginning. Lehmann himself performed a solo, Violin Concerto in G by Haydn, with the orchestra accompanying. As the strings echoed and flourished the soloist's line, it was evident that MSO not only had energy but also a thorough command over style and technique. The highlight of the evening came at the end with Ottorino Respighi's The Birds, a piece incorporating the voices of four birds. MSO charmed the audience as it took on the voices of these birds one by one. From the graciousness of the dove to the sharp call of the hen MSO showed off its talents.