Sometimes music can be inspirational. Sometimes, heartbreaking. Sometimes, joyful.
And sometimes you just need a little “Plink, Plank, Plunk” played expertly by Knoxville’s finest and directed enthusiastically by Knoxville’s best.
The Knoxville Symphony League welcomed guests to Tellico Village Yacht Club on a beautiful Friday night recently for one of the league’s fundraising dinners. Entertainment was provided by a selection of string players from the KSO Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Aram Demirjian, who is celebrating a year as the orchestra’s eighth conductor in its more than 90 year history.
Chef William Minkert’s dinner of bone-in filet mignon with house-made ravioli with elk meat, roasted vegetables, chopped salad and baked Alaskan had the brave gnawing the bone and the rest wishing they were brave enough to do so. Fireworks, compliments of Tom Shaw, ended the evening with what league members call a “Shaw-Boom.”
But as good as the meal and fireworks were, the stars of the evening were Demirjian and the orchestra. The music was light and familiar, from Mozart’s “A Little Night Music” to Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks” to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” (Wedding Song) to the entertaining “Plink, Plank, Plunk.” The latter, explained Demirjian, is a favorite in educational shows, including Classroom Quartets and Storytime performances.
Demirjian conducts with passion, expressiveness and style. The 80-plus guests were entertained from beginning to the “Shaw-Boom” ending.