DOWNEY - "What if a much of a which of a wind..." sings the opening line of a poem by e.e. cummings. Saturday the popular notion that the Downey Symphony was fading was shattered by a "much of a which of wind" supplied by conductor Thomas Osborn, his orchestra, and pianist and composer Richard Carpenter who left a standing room only audience at the Downey Theater shaken and breathless. Applause there was, and plenty of it. What cannot be described is the electric energy that transfused the audience as Carpenter and the symphony that accompained him struck the last notes of his "Carpenter Piano Fantasy." These had been hard times for the symphony until Saturday evening turned things around. Audiences, although dedicated , had been dwindling, thanks in part to the economy , and in part to the lack of public relations air time such as rock-and-roll and country music enjoy. It seems (sadly) that the public needs to be continually reminded that good music still exists.

Carpenter and the symphony reminded us all and more Saturday. They reminded all present that there is no moment so electric as at a live auditorium when great music is rendered to attentive ears. The evening begun with the Symphony's "Light Cavalry Overture" by Suppe, then followed with the popular "Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Dukas; the little known but interesting "Pastiche for Orchestra" by John Biggs (a contemporary); and then the famed "Capriccio Italien" by Tchaikovsky. But delightful as these were, the best was yet to come. Carpenter, the surviving member of the famed "Carpenters" who changed the direction of mainstream pop music in the 1970s, took the stage, and from the moment he touched the keyboard, held the audience mesmerized. Former music stars are not supposed to retain the technical facility Carpenter brings to his keyboard, or the passion he expresses through his music. In fact, Carpenter is no"fomer" star at all, but a clear and present force of talent. He opened, not with his own compositions, but playing "Themes Like Only Yesterday," a compilation of great movie themes of the past. And play them hi did, doing a phenomenal dexterity from one.

Then came his finale, themes of his own composition which he and his sister, Karen, turned into popular favorites in 1970s. They were lilting, ephemeral, and as he played more than one member of the audience silently mouthed the words. Some of those words are as beautiful as was the evening Saturday. Carpenter still lives with his wife and children in Downey. He must like it here. He has always been ready to come to the assistance of his community in many ways. Saturday, thanks to Carpenter, an able conductor and a group of skilled and sensitive musicians, the Symphony is alive and well in Downey.

THE DOWNEY EAGLE
February 4th, 1994
USA