The parallel often drawn between Shake-speare and Wagner is most apt. Wagner could write anything—from an atomic explosion of energy (The Ride of the Valkyries) down to this tender and serene expression of heartfelt love for his wife, which contains all the pastoral profundity of a Constable landscape. Rarely rising above a dynamic of mezzo-forte (except for the middle climax), the work was beautifully played and directed, highlighting a variety of lovely wind solos.

  The mood of meditation and tranquility continued into the first movement of Copland’s Concerto for Clarinet.  By classical standards the work begins in the middle--that is, with the slow movement, which then leads to a virtuoso cadenza and a jazzy finish. It was commissioned by and written for jazz legend Benny Goodman. However, Goodman found himself intimidated by the technical demands and put off playing the work until Copland arranged to have it performed elsewhere.

Guest soloist was Eddie Daniels, veteran of the New York jazz scene and whom Leonard Bernstein called “a thoroughly well-bred demon.” Daniels spun forth richly melodic phrases in the luxurious first movement then tore into the cadenza playing it decidedly faster than the original Goodman recording. The last movement is conceived as a Stravinsky-like imitation of jazz rather than a jazz piece per se. Crisp rhythms from the orchestra complemented Daniels’ colorful flights of written-out improvisation.

The jazz theme continued with three encores—two big band arrangements by Tommy Newsome, “I Thought About You,” and the up-tempo “Rachel’s Dream,” concluding with a solo improvisation.

  Andrea Quinn makes her guest appearance with the NMSO after having worked with virtually all the major orchestras in England. She hit the stage running with a thrillingly breakneck tempo to begin Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. The rest of the work followed suit. The orchestra is used to brisk tempi with Maestro Figueroa, but Quinn is an Olympic sprinter in comparison. Yet none of the fine detail was lost, nor did she ask of the orchestra anything it could not produce. The result was a thoroughly refreshing take on a standard work. If Eddie Daniels Swings, under the baton of Quinn, Beethoven Rocks!!

WHAT: New Mexico Symphony Orchestra presents clarinetist Eddie Daniels and guest conductor Andrea Quinn

WHEN: Sunday, Nov 13

WHERE: Albuquerque Journal Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center

HOW MUCH: $18- $57 at the NHCC box office or Ticketmaster outlets

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