Penny Weedon

An Evening of Music From Vienna

January 3^rd 2004

On a dreary winter's day, it was an absolute pleasure to see the hall decked out in colorful artificial flowers, all around the stage, up the stairs and to the side of the hall as well. Thanks to Ann and John for creating the floral trellises and thanks to all of you who donated flowers in such vast quantities. Also well done to those that turned up dressed for the occasion, it all helped to make the evening special.

Penny Weedon began the concert itself in true Viennese style with the "Blue Danube", composed in 1867 by Johann Strauss the younger. To follow "Wien Bleibt Wien" (Vienna Forever) by the lesser known composer Joseph Schrammel.

You have a problem playing polkas? Count as thus: 1-2-3-4 1-2-3, or as Peter Hayward puts it: play it as a new fangled waltz. You should have no difficulty now with the "Pizzacato Polka"!

Hungarian born Lehar changed his Christian name from Ferencz to Franz when settling in Vienna, appropriately we heard the "Viennese Memories Of Lehar". Next Schubert got a look in with "Schoene Rosemarin" (Beautiful Rosmarin), a piece for solo violin, and yes, the violin was tuned beforehand! Schubert, surprisingly, was less successful as a freelance composer than Mozart, his "Military March" ranks amongst many of his famous scores.

Dancing the Viennese Waltz quickly has one out of breath, however, Penny (appeared to) play the "Tales From Vienna Woods" with the greatest of ease! Antonin Dvorak was thankfully encouraged by his father to study in Prague rather than be an innkeeper and butcher, giving us the chance to listen to his composition "Rusalka", the story of a water sprite.

There was plenty of hand clapping and thigh slapping with Robert Schubert's "Hommage Aux Belles Viennoises".

To close the first half, playing her Yamaha EL900, we heard the delightful "Skaters Waltz" by Emile Waldteufel, who studied at the famous Paris Conservatoire and became pianist to the Empress Eugenie of France.

Penny provided us with a lively start to the second half with the "Trish Trash Polka" (see earlier playing notes!). "At The Dance" was the only piece rescued from the ashes, after Penny's Great Uncle & Chorus Master at Covent Garden Robert Revel had passed away.

"The Czardas" by Vittorio Monti, is another wonderful piece for the violin, starting slowly and melancholy, before getting extremely dramatic and lively.

A trained engineer cannot write music? Sigmund Romberg thankfully studied music too; his contribution tonight was the "Student Prince". Penny herself has become a student again, having gone back to Music College. She has always been a superb musician, however, her increased confidence shows in her superb level of playing.

Haydn wrote some much loved music, so it was a pleasure to hear "Serenade". Next we had a very rousing rendition of the "Thunder & Lightning Polka". Franz Liszt was taught by his father and much impressed Beethoven with a recital. The piece we heard was "La Pastorella Dell 'Alpi", it almost reminded me of handbells being rung, quite beautiful. Another Waldteufel composition followed, a super rendition of "Acclamations".

Winding up the spring, we had the "Cuckoo Waltz", which was written by the Scandinavian composer (?) J.E. Jonasson. The writer has had the distinction of growing up in the city where Johannes Brahms was born - Hamburg. Having toured Northern Germany with the famous Hungarian gypsy violinist Eduard Remenyi, it inspired him to compose the "Hungarian Dance No. 5".

To conclude her concert, Penny played the "Emperor Waltz", written for the Emperor's 40th Anniversary, which included some 48 registration changes!

Viennese tradition has it that the "Radetsky March" is played as an encore, Penny suitably obliged with same.

One must give full credit to Penny for an outstanding performance. 50 hours or so of solid practise, most of this from Boxing Day onwards, when most of us put our feet up for a few days rest. All this resulted in her Yamaha EL900 sounding like the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra! Thanks Penny.

Husband Tony, who did all the background research and changed the scores over for her on the organ, ably assisted her throughout the evening.

Penny Weedon will be back playing another evening of Music From Vienna on January 1st 2005.

Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.