The jaded critic, who referred to himself as 'the hardened person', had heard many pianists in his career and was not expecting to be impressed by this little woman who strode on stage. As she played composition after composition he found himself becoming emotionally involved in her performance. He felt tears running down his cheeks. What was happening? He tried to find words to express what he was feeling as he listened to this tiny woman perform. Her playing had reduced 'the hardened person' to tears! He finally came to this conclusion:
'She's a Witch!'
But a good witch.
This evening we attended the concert by Music of the Baroque at the Harris Theatre. The program was three Haydn symphonies and the Mozart Serenade # 6 in D major.
Every time I hear Jane Glover conduct I think 'She can't possibly be more musical, more sensitive, more involved than the other times I have heard her.'
But she is!
She is a good witch, just like Fanny.
From her fingers (no baton tonight) flowed everything Haydn and Mozart could possibly ask for in this music. The three symphonies were numbers 6, 7,and 8, titled Le Matin, Le Midi, and Le Soir. The hall was filled with sheer joy. The genius of the composers flew from her expressive hands into the hearts and minds of her virtuosic players. It was a magical performance.
Haydn used to write 'solo' parts in his orchestral works so that Esterhazy would give the soloists extra money. The soloists tonight all certainly deserved a bonus. They were Kathleen Brauer and Sharon Polifrone, violinists, Elizabeth Hagen, violist, Barbara Haftner, 'cellist, Collin Trier, bass, Mary Stolper, flutist, Robert Morgan and Peggy Michel, oboists, William Buchman, bassoon, Robert Johnson and Matthew Oliphant horn, and Douglas Waddell, tympani. Each is a virtuoso in his or her own right and they were exceptional.
But it is the good Witch, Jane Glover who makes the magic. Long may she wave her magic wand!
