American Conductor and Belarusian Ensemble Innovatively Blend Russian and American Musical Classics

Minsk, Belarus October 16, 2008

Simmons' performance inspired not only audience, but musicians as well

For the first time, an American conductor, Philip L. Simmons, worked with the Classic Vanguard Soloists Ensemble presented a selection of musical masterpieces by influential American and Russian composers at the Belarusian Philharmonic.  Introduced by remarks in Belarusian by CDA Jonathan Moore, the concert featured a piece by Shostakovich interspersed with performed commentary from Mayakovsky controversial poem, The Bedbug, a creative synthesis that provoked heated discussion.  The second part of the program featured music by well-known American favorites such as Scott Joplin's The Entertainer and concluded with John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, which led the audience to clap along and stamp their feet to the rhythm.  Spectators enjoyed the American conductor's lively performance, whom one enthusiastic journalist described as “dancing” to the music.