Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
THERE ONCE was a time, the upscale St. Andrew neighbourhood of Drumblair represented the very acme of Jamaica's intellectual, social, artistic and political epicentre! And daahlings, we are talking the very le crème here and nothing but. This neighbourhood was home to the Founder of the People's National Party, Norman Manley and wife Edna Manley and their sons Douglas and Michael.
Drumblair, my dears, was not only the coveted address, it was synonymous with all things socially, politically and intellectually progressive, at that crucial time when Jamaicans were busy shaping the cultural and social path of a post colonial Jamaica.
Today, Drumblair remains a potent force. It is still a preferred address, but has been somewhat dormant in terms of cultural and or artistic stage. It is still home, however, to Neville Alexander and his fabulously talented artist of a wife, the uncommonly grand Susanne Alexander.
Now, in the early 80s, a former musical child prodigy emerged on the cultural and social scenes to thunderous acclaim and applause, celebrated every-which-where for his awesome talent as a concert pianist!
So talented was he, that by the time he had matured into his teens, the young pianist had already given solo performances at Carnegie Hall, The Barbican, plus a number of appearances, interviews and recitals across the world, to unbridled international acclaim from some of music's most acidic critics, and ardent fans.
Now, not only was he an extraordinarily talented concert pianist, he was also the epitome of the consummate showman. It was this combination that led many to believe, that Orrett Rhoden, would one day command the world's stage as the pre-eminent concert pianist!
Alas, the young man went into a period of introspection, as he sought to define for himself, the direction of his music and career, as against allowing commercial considerations to dictate its path; and so Orrett Rhoden and his musical genius was lost to music lovers for a time.
Since then, Orrett Rhoden has emerged from his self-imposed cocoon, and has been busy reasserting his musical genius. And so it was, that last Sunday, saw a more centred, artistically more focused Orrett Rhoden, and in concert at the Drumblair residence of Neville and Susanne Alexander that was a most extraordinary musical and social treat!
Doves, the affair held all the elements of a Command Performance, and really it was!
With the invitations advising those specially invited to the affair to be seated at 6:15 p.m., for the 6:30 performance, the doors to the Alexanders's home (the Concert Hall) were promptly closed at twenty-nine minutes after six. The hostess then welcomed her guests and introduced her concert piano, (celebrating its 95th year) and then made a few introductory words to welcome the guest of honour!
Orrett Rhoden then entered the concert hall to resounding applause, bowed graciously, and for the next 40 or so minutes enthralled, dazzled, captivated, seduced, and held spell-bound his audience with his artistic brilliance with pieces from Brahms, Schumann and Chopin, that were a joy to hear!
We are talking musical rapture here and nothing but! And so compelling and awe-inspiring was his performance, that no one dared speak during his performance, and the only interruption that there was, came from the shuffling of papers as one guest perused her programme.
CLASSICIST OF
THE HIGHEST ORDER
Now, this was not music for the uninitiated as Orrett Rhoden is a classicist of the highest order. A point he emphasised, and oh so brilliantly when he returned for an encore and delivered Padre Antonio Soler's, Sonato In B Minor.
Dears, what for a finale! The drama! The grace! The passion! Oh, the beauty of it all! The blessings!
It was like that, something awesome and then some, and faultlessly so!
And, there was no other way to crown such a fabulous performance, but as it was champagne in the gardens of the lovely home; with a fare of equally masterful dimensions, to crown an evening long to be remembered for its sheer and utter good-taste and mastery!
And yes, it was prime time and nothing but. Among the notables out, were: Norma Rhoden, the mother of the oh so very and wonderfully talented pianist; Glynne Manley; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and his wife Attorney-at-Law Sandra Phillips; Jolene Whiteman and her mother the elegant Jolene Davis; British High Commissioner Peter Mathers, his lovely wife Elisabeth Mathers and their daughter the lovely Phillipa Mathers; German Ambassador Dr. Christian Hausmann and his wife Harriet Huber; Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai and wife Kinuko Sakurai; Argentinean Ambassador Gonzalo Fernandez and his wife Inez; Deputy Head of Mission at the US Embassy Cliff Tighe and his lovely wife Luisa Tighe; wife of the Russian Ambassador Marina Malayan; wife of the Cuban Ambassador Mercedes Rencurrell and their daughter Barbara Rencurrell; Thalia Lyn; Christopher Bovell; Anthony and Jeanne Watson; Christopher and Jill Roberts; Faye Bangerter; George Fatta; Russell and Carol Hadeed; Colonel Ken and Jean Barnes; Yehuda Rauer; Sonia Scott and her daughters Sharon Lake and Liz Banks; Dr. Al Cottrell and wife Betty; Diane Watson; Madam. Gilou Bauer; Dr. Bernard and Andrea Benjamin; the lovely Susanne Couch; Marjorie Leslie and son Colin Leslie; and Carol Foofanah; plus a number of others; But pumpkins, what a treat!
