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All-Russian Concert A Success
By Eileen Wingard
San Diego Jewish Times, May 19, 2006
April 11, the night before the first seder, the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) performed an All-Russian program at Tifereth Israel Synagogue (TIS). Although that night prior to the first seder is usually devoted to Pesach preparations and the search for chometz throughout the house, so attractive was the TICO program that it drew a sizeable audience including many TIS congregants. In fact, Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal himself was there. The rabbi, an amateur violinist who plays on occasion in TICO's second violin section, was undoubtedly drawn to this concert because it featured a violin soloist.
Felix Olschofka, German-born violinist, performed the
difficult and challenging Tchaikovsky Violin
Concerto with warm feeling and technical security. His first movement
cadenza was particularly impressive. Olschofka is the newly appointed faculty
member of the Music Department at San Diego State University. SDSU is fortunate
to have such a capable violinist in its ranks.
TICO did a commendable job with Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Principal trumpet Ronald Miller performed the "Promenade" interludes with finesse and "Bydlo" was well articulated by tuba player John Winkelman. "Baba Yaga" was convincing with its crude dissonances. Although the concluding "Great Gate of Kiev" requires a much larger string section to be fully effective, TICO’s strings mustered all their forces to make the brass dominated climax as exciting as possible.
For its upcoming concert in June, TICO will perform at two synagogues. Not only will the orchestra give its usual Tuesday night concert at Tifereth Israel on June 13, but on the previous Sunday at 3 p.m., the orchestra will play the same program at Ohr Shalom Synagogue on 3rd and Laurel.
It is hoped that TICO continues to increase the number of venues where it performs. Under David Amos’s capable leadership, it is a wonderful resource for the entire community.