SR Symphony's Russian program caps successful season

The Santa Rosa Symphony and its new music director Bruno Ferrandis concluded their first full season together Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts with an all-Russian program that exploded with color.

The 2007-2008 season was the first to be fully planned by Ferrandis, including an operatic gala, Verdi's Requiem and orchestral repertoire from Bach and Beethoven, Bartok and Brahms. This season, Ferrandis conducted six of the seven sets of subscription concerts, double the number of concerts he was able to lead last season.

The 47-year-old conductor was chosen in the spring of 2006 as the orchestra's fourth music director, taking over the podium from Jeffrey Ka-hane, now music director of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

As the Santa Rosa Symphony and its new conductor begin to forge a working relationship, there appears to be a strong rapport developing, and it is audible in the confident shape and sound of the music.

On Saturday night, a handful of season subscribers gave the conductor a definite thumbs-up, praising his elegant stick technique, collaborative spirit and communication skills.

"I love to watch him -- he's so graceful," said Kathy Birdsong of Healdsburg. "And I'm getting used to his accent . . . it's so beautiful."

"I like his energy and his perspective," said Ed Schoon of Guerneville. "He talks about bringing other arts into the fold, and I think it will help bring young people back."

"I like his programs -- there's an interesting variety -- and I love his pre-concert lectures," said Susan Engdahl of Santa Rosa. "He is much more collaborative."

Other audience members noted that Ferrandis seems to know exactly what sound he wants to hear and can communicate that to the symphony. As a result, the orchestra is being elevated beyond the usual "Freeway Philharmonic."

"I love the way the orchestra responds and the sound that he gets out of the orchestra," said Alice Chan of Sebastopol. "It's giving this orchestra a sound of its own."

Saturday night's season finale took flight with Rimsky-Korsakov's dramatic Suite from "Le coq d'or" and landed smoothly with Stravinsky's complete 1910 ballet "The Firebird."

It would be difficult to find more appropriate works to showcase the orchestra's sound. From shimmering, barely audible strings and harp to sinuous woodwinds and ear-splitting brass, the Russian works are inundated with vivid hues, expertly orchestrated.

After the virtuosic "Firebird," a few members of the orchestra joined in the thunderous applause for Ferrandis, who raised his fist in triumph. But the evening truly belonged to the orchestra for its fine efforts.

Before intermission, French pianist Philippe Bianconi delivered an incredibly crisp, polished performance of Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini." As Ferrandis noted during his pre-concert talk, the work speaks for itself, and so does Bianconi. He dove into the piece with a playful spirit, virtuosic chops and a sumptuous sound. Bravo.

If he continues to program guest talents as impressive as this one, Ferrandis will have no problem keeping up with the high standards of past seasons.

"We're not getting Yo-Yo Ma, are we?" said Bob Meyers of Healdsburg. "But we're getting people like this Frenchman, who is sensational."

You can reach Staff Writer Diane Peterson at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat

.com.