Philharmonic turns in exciting evening

Music lovers seemed to revel in the Las Vegas Philharmonic's performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Saturday's sold-out concert at Artemus Ham Hall also featured soloists Veera Khare Asher, Juline Barol-Gilmore, Mark Thomsen and Paul Rowe, as well as the 100-plus vocalists of the Desert Chorale and the Las Vegas Master Singers, all under the direction of David Itkin, the Philharmonic's conductor and music director.

The 70-minute composition, properly known as "Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125," is a workout with its changes in emotion, tempo and timbre. But Itkin was up for the challenge, from the big first movement to the seamless inclusion of the vocalists for a bold "Ode to Joy."

Coming at about the time many symphonies would be ending and participants would be wiping brows, the "Ode" could seem draining for all involved. Not to worry. The soloists were rapt during their wait, then focused and strong when called to stand and sing.

The chorus had no trouble with the German wording, delivering with the intensity required. And the musicians seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves, enveloped in the complex sea of the composition. Here it filled the hall, tone over tone, pure joy leading to a masterful conclusion.

Those onstage did not disappoint, turning in one of the most solid and exciting evenings in the Philharmonic's history.

Though it's a reasonable assumption that most in the audience came for Beethoven, they were treated to an interesting 20th century fillip to open the evening, with Darius Milhaud's "La Creation du Monde, Op. 81a."

This 20-minute ballet shows its heavy jazz influences with some generous side steps to the blues and some ethnic beats.

For it, only 17 Philharmonic members took the stage, the grouping heavy on horns, percussion and piano.

Certainly, it was overshadowed by what followed, but credit the orchestra with a well-presented, unusual adventure.

Future programs such as this one, of the familiar and the not-so, could entertain and educate in a manner that would be meaningful for all involved.