Musicians play with global flair

The Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra presented four international symphonies by various composers on Saturday in Sexson Auditorium.The orchestra, which is made up of 86 musicians, performed all four symphonies beautifully, incorporating all fourteen instruments impeccably.

The amount of hard work the orchestra put into this program was evident.

"We have been rehearsing since Dec. 1," said Conductor Jo Raquel Stoup, a gifted musician herself.

The symphonies consisted of upbeat and dramatic notes. Influences from the Americas, Cuba, battles and even gypsies were all put in the program.

"I thought about it for so long and I was inspired by other countries," said Stoup.

Of all four symphonies, the one that stood out the most was the first of the program, "Symphony # 9" by Antonin Dvorak. It had high and dramatic notes, similar to Disney's film "Fantasia."

The melody coming from the violins left the audience in a state of awe. Since it was the first symphony of the program, it was apparent that all of the musicians were genuinely into every moment of it. At times, it was as if the music sang for itself.

In between the symphonies, the lead violinist guided the other musicians into the next before the conductor took over.

The second symphony of the program, "Maladroit" by Kirt N. Mosier, was based on two battles and the theme was clear through its patriotic and melancholy sound.

"Cuban Overture" by George Gershwin brought a more upbeat and happy mood that made people bob their heads to the rhythm.

At the end of the program, Conductor Stoup gave a brief synopsis of the last symphony, "Capriccio Espagnol" by Nikolai Rimskey-Korsakov.

This piece was the most upbeat and the conductor did not mind if people wanted to dance. "You can get up and dance to it in the aisles," she said jokingly.

The program was promising and magnificent with evident dedication coming from the gifted young musicians.