“How do you steal an evening of ‘glorious brass’? With timpani, of course,” writes Bruce Miller in Saturday’s (6/12) Sioux City Journal (IA). “At Saturday’s final concert of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, percussionist Darin Wadley dominated several pieces, Herbert Haufrecht’s ‘Symphony for Brass and Timpani’ in particular.… Wadley’s precision provided structure that defined the composer’s intentions. Trumpets … had to compete. In the process, trombones and an oh-so-good tubist (Michael Andersen) stood out. They also … positively glowed in George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘I Got Rhythm.’ … In … Percy Grainger’s ‘Lincolnshire Posy’ several other percussionists joined Wadley and helped convey a variety of moods in the tribute to folksingers. [In] two first-act Giovanni Gabrieli selections … five trumpets helped recreate Venice in the 16th century for ‘Canzon Per Sonar Septimi Toni No. 2’ and ‘Canzon per Sonar in Echo Duodecimi Toni.’ … The first full audience of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic appreciated the brass showcase…. Before Saturday’s Sioux City Symphony Orchestra concert, … Music director Ryan Haskins announced the 106th season, which … opens Oct. 16 with pianist Michelle Cann performing Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement. The night also features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.”
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