A Musical Extravaganza
St. Matthew's UMC church, where Isaac is music director, celebrated its 50th anniversary this weekend. Among the many splendid events, Isaac organized a gala musical evening this past Saturday. The program included gem after gem:
- Isaac playing a festive and rambunctious fanfare by Charles Ore on the organ;
- St. Matthew's handbell choir played 3 selections, including a crowd favorite arrangement of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee", featuring clarinet solo;
- a young church member wowed us with the 1st movement of the G Major Mozart Flute Concerto;
- an a capella vocal sextet sang two wonderful spiritual arrangements;
- pianist #1 playe two pieces by Rachmaninoff (with lots of notes), "Prelude, Op23, #4" & "Moment Musical, Op. 16, #4";
- the youth choir did a remarkable a capella arrangement of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror;
- a baroque quartet (piano, flute, clarinet, cello — yes, with yours truly) played some charming little pieces from James Oswald's "Four Seasons";
- a trio of young women sang a couple of beguiling selections;
- an awesome quartet of clarinets delighting us with an arrangement of "Smoke Gets in your Eyes", followed by a contemporary — and exhilarating! — "Suite for 4 Equal Clarinets";
- pianist #2 with Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and Liszt's arrangement of Schumann's "Widmung";
- the St. Matthew's Chancel Choir in fine form did three numbers, including their favorite, rousing arrangement of "River in Judea".
Happily, the event was very well attended, with over 200 people.