April 28, 2007 7:30 pm
Great Hall, GBPAC, Cedar Falls
Professor Peter Schickele, Michèle Eaton, David Düsing, guest artists
Including:
P.D.Q. Bach – Cantata 'Gott sei dank, daβ heute Freitag ist'
P.D.Q. Bach – Art of the Ground Round
Peter Schickele – Songs from Shakespeare
P.D.Q. Bach – Oedipus Tex
A funny thing happened at the final WCFSO concert
By George F. Day
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
May 4, 2007
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra presented its last concert of the current season on Saturday at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Jason Weinberger, music director, conducted the orchestra; the principal guest artist was Peter Schickele, described as an 'intellectual guide and Johann of all trades.'
That tongue-in-cheek title should provide a clue to the solemnity of the program. Also revealing were descriptions of Professor Schickele’s assistants: Michele Eaton as 'off-coloratura soprano,' David Dusing, the 'tenor profundo' and William Walter, 'Manager of the Stage.' The alleged composer of the evening’s music was P.D.Q. Bach ('the 21st of Johann S. Bach’s 20 children'). All of the works performed were purportedly composed during the master’s 'Las Vegas years.'
The hijinks started when one of the cello players in the orchestra [Dr. Matt Glascock] arrived late in is surgical scrubs, mask, protective cap and shoes. Schickele then treated the audience to a barrage of jokes, puns [mostly bad] and irreverent comments on music and composers.
One of the pieces performed was a recently discovered cantata by P.D.Q. Bach: 'Gott sei dank, das heut Freitag ist,' which translated means 'Thank God It’s Friday.' Another attractive work was described as a famous American song – Dusing sang what turned out to be “Oh Danny Boy,” accompanied by the orchestra playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
And so it went all the way to the final country-western classic 'Oedipus Tex.' The talented, witty Schickele thus produced an evening that was fun and funny.
Note: All reviews are edited for length and spelling.