Chris Brubeck: Press

Music, art blend for magical evening of symphony

By Donald W. Blount
Record Staff Writer
April 04, 2009 6:00 AM

The paradox of the Stockton Symphony's latest performance serves as a succulent treat for anyone within the walls of Atherton Auditorium at San Joaquin Delta College.

Whenever you can listen to the global premiere of a new work by a world-renowned musician and composer with local ties and a 142-year-old requiem by one of the foundational composers, it is sure to delight anyone's ear.

Alas, last minute theatergoers are out of luck, as tonight's performance is sold out.

But let's return to Thursday and begin with the debut of the new work by Dave and Chris Brubeck. In "Ansel Adams: America," the 88-year-old father and 57-year-old son have created a 22-minute composition that works in concert (no pun intended) with 101 projected images of Ansel Adams' photographs.

It would be inaccurate and inappropriate to compare this with the score of a movie or slide show; it is far from that. Instead, it's a walk through some of the most stunning natural wonders in the United States as well as photographs of Adams himself with music that envelops the listener and causes him or her to fly away to the various destinations shown. It is a magical interplay between the auditory and the visual.

Those who enjoy listening to music with their eyes closed should change their habit; to turn away from any of the photographs is to be sure to miss out on a moment.

"You get lost in it," an excited Chris Brubeck said backstage during intermission of the two-hour performance, which included a 22-minute break. "There is so much love and soul in the pictures, and you try to bring that out," he said.

Conductor Peter Jaffe works to make the music accessible, from his opening conversation with the audience (which included a tip to listen for how the music included Adams' name) to the physicality of his conducting.

Seeing him after the performance, sweat-soaked and fatigued as if he just completed a marathon, is the best indicator.

The second part of the performance comprises Brahms' "German Requiem."

The enormous task of bringing together 250 choristers, a 70-member symphony, soprano soloist and bass baritone soloist would seem overwhelming. But in this case, it is not.

The Stockton Chorale, choruses from University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College are both "toneful and tuneful."

The only criticism, and it is a small one, is that the Brahms piece, at roughly an hour, is long. It would be helpful to those unacquainted with "German Requiem" to do some background work to gain some familiarity with it.

Otherwise, those fortunate enough to have secured tickets for tonight should prepare themselves to have their ears touched by the music, their eyes dazzled by images and their hearts and souls warmed by it all.