OC Music Magazine

Rhiannon Janee

February 28that 3 p.m. sharp, the eight members of the Mozart Classical Orchestra stepped onto the Irvine Barclay stage. The concert had yet to begin and the theater was already filled with an excited calm; the orchestra remained standing until conductor and founding music director Ami Porat stepped onto the stage. Porat was greeted with what felt like endless applause.

Porat began to guide the orchestra with his delicate yet vibrant physical gestures. It’s difficult to remove the eyes when Ami is conducting; the relationship between he and his orchestra was far too intense to look away at any moment. Their heads move in harmony with his precise direction through Rossini, Mendelssohn and of course, Mozart. With each pitch, Porat shifts his body and used the conductor’s baton to visibly explain where he leads the orchestra and the audience.

The Mozart Classical Orchestra is built simply with violins, violas, and cellos; subtle lighting and rose colored walls set an ever-so relaxing mood for the audience. This is not a show where someone goes to rock out, but to appreciate the music. Plus, this isn’t your traditional, massive orchestra concert. This has intimate and soothing written all over it.

 Photos by: Aaron Huniu

 

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