Images, music meld
Orchestra Teams with The Now Device for stunning multimedia presentation.

by Christopher Durrenberger

Contributing Writer,
Springfield News-Sun
November 12, 2007

SPRINGFIELD – Molten red steel and flying blue sparks are not the images one usually takes away from a night at the symphony.

Yes, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra teamed up with The Now Device and presented something very different this weekend. Their “American Made: The Art of Manufacturing” program melded great music from 20th century American composers to remarkable video of local and national manufacturing companies. The end result was truly spectacular.

An energetic and rhythmically driving performance of Corigliano’s “Gazebo Dances” set the stage in the “American Dream” overture. Industrial fire and light was creatively choreographed to a piercing piccolo, xylophone and snare drum orchestration.

Music director Peter Stafford Wilson was featured in yet another light Saturday night: He not only conducted the orchestra, but was projected over them larger than life on multiple screens like a rock star.

Another segment displayed “Our Heritage” with vintage footage from the Model T production to that of International’s truck line.

Next, an “Ode to the American Worker” paid tribute to the manufacturer’s human resource adapting to a more modern factory. Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 quoting “Fanfare for the Common Man” was appropriately selected for this homage. Booming timpani towered over slightly out of tune brass and an unfortunate passing frantic first violin section was masked by a series of touching images of personnel enjoying what they do.

The “American made” musical highlight of the evening came after intermission as SSO concertmaster Sujean Kim enveloped Kuss Auditorium with Mark O’Connor’s “Fiddle Concerto.” Powered by dual Peavey amplifiers, her sweet violin tone shook the rafters as she danced to the swinging jig rhythms.

A grand “Celebration” finale wrapped up the program with John William’s nostalgic and regal “Summon the Heroes.” High definition video of massive wheels and the workers that run them were intertwined with live images of musicians filling the hall.