I wasn’t sure what to expect when Thomas Conlin addressed the audience at the Empress Theatre in Vallejo.
As a globetrotting, Grammy Award-winning conductor, the Napan would surely carry himself with a certain elegance and poise reminiscent of another time, right? Perhaps it would be as if Beethoven — who was the subject of the recent Vallejo Festival Orchestra show — was still alive?
To my surprise, Conlin’s demeanor was one of openness and kindness that more closely resembles modern-day Napans. This classically dressed gentleman seemed like he could be friends with just about anyone in the audience. Conlin, and Beethoven as we learned throughout the night, shattered expectations as he led the orchestra through the evening’s program.
“The Glory & Grandeur of Beethoven” began with a trio of overtures — "Prometheus," "Coriolan" and my favorite, the "Egmont" — before the musicians tackled Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, known as “Eroica.”
This symphony, Conlin indicated, represents Beethoven’s decision to break all the rules when it comes to the standard compositional structure. Because it was so different from other pieces of the era, the Eroica “changed music forever,” according to Conlin, who doled out Beethoven facts throughout the concert. One fact that resonated with the audience was Beethoven’s addiction to coffee. I could hear someone behind me mentioning that this shared love of the caffeinated variety pushed him to the top of their list of favorite composers.
As for favorite conductors, for me — Conlin is up there. Of course, I have not frequented the symphony in many years, so that list is very short. The assignment to observe the Napa resident in his natural, melodic state for a future article in the Register was surreal, as classical music is forever linked to my journalistic beginnings.
One of the very first times my name appeared in print in a local newspaper was on the opinion page. When I was 18, I decided while in school — I attended Solano Community College and Sonoma State University, studying journalism and communications, respectively — I would make it my job to write letters to the editor, sharing my perspective as a young adult growing up in Vallejo. Yes, I am from that city next door.
While many of my letters — published in the Vallejo Times-Herald — touched upon ways in which the city could improve, one was completely complementary. It was a review not dissimilar to this one, sharing my time at the Vallejo Symphony (a different group than the one Conlin leads, but also one that performed Beethoven on occasion) and commented, among other things, on the lack of young people attending the show. At the time the Vallejo Symphony performed in the auditorium of my high school, Hogan High, where I spent many hours as a drama club student. Hogan has since reverted back to a middle school.
Conlin’s concert earlier this month, performed in my hometown, really showcased how much time has passed but also how much has remained the same. However, I am happy to report that the audience for “The Glory & Grandeur of Beethoven” included numerous families with young children who will hopefully continue to appreciate classical music throughout their lifetimes.
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Art Abound is a column exploring the arts in and around the Napa Valley. If you have a column idea, share your thoughts with Sarah at sdowling@napanews.com.
Barbary Coast Jazz Band in Napa this Sunday, Visual and Performing Arts Student of the Month and more news in Napa Valley Art Notes.
Vallejo Festival Orchestra's “The Glory & Grandeur of Beethoven” began with a trio of overtures — "Prometheus," "Coriolan" and "Egmont" — before the musicians tackled Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, known as “Eroica.”