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225 East 36th Street New York, New York 10016
Since their first performances together in 2004 the popular duo Anthony and Beard have delighted audiences in over 20 states and three countries with their consummate artistry, unique programming, and delightful personalities. Their performances combine the virtuoso talents of Ryan Anthony and Gary Beard in such varied programming as concerti, spirituals and folks songs, orchestral transcriptions, Broadway and opera favorites along with standards from the baroque era. The on stage chemistry between these artists goes beyond just music making and provides fun dialogue, beautiful music and delightful entertainment for the entire audience.
Recent seasons have included debuts throughout the country as well as a highly acclaimed concert at Moscow’s Svetlanov Hall, and recent reviews have said: "Heavenly sounds...The two musicians gave one heck of a performance...the duo has great onstage chemistry...fluidity and finesse." by The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, and “The program had great variety. The crowd barely caught its collective breath from laughing between tunes before it was awed into a rapt silence by the brilliant streams of notes.” by The Daily Gazette, Saratoga Springs, NY and “The two men were certainly good humored, and clearly enjoyed exploiting the possibilities of performing in various locations in the hall . . impressive ensemble work throughout the afternoon.” by Classical Voice of North Carolina, Brevard, NC. With many return visits, presenters have commented "Stunningly beautiful. The audience LOVED it!” (Laura Stellhorn, presenter, Sandusky Concert Association, OH), "Wowed our audience with their musicianship, artistry, and showmanship!” (Frode Gundersen, presenter, Tyler TX,) "Thrilled our audience with their musical mastery. The audience was moved again and again by the excellence in musical art.” (James Steven Harter, presenter, Colorado Springs CO) and "The concert was truly fabulous in all senses of the word. Our audience loved them!" (Don Horisberger, presenter, Lake Forest IL).
Ryan Anthony is currently Principal Trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and prior enjoyed several seasons as a member of the famed group Canadian Brass. Gary Beard is Artist-in-Residence at Lindenwood Church in Memphis, TN, where he has developed one of the country’s most acclaimed music programs, as well as Director of Music at Theatre Memphis. Their recordings include ‘Ryan Anthony with Gary Beard’ (now in its third pressing), ‘Hymns Impromptu’, and newest holiday recording ‘Joy to the World’.
GERALDINE FREEDMAN
For The Daily Gazette
Date: May 8, 2010
Section: B: Local
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Trumpeter Ryan Anthony and organist Gary Beard presented a concert Friday night at the United Methodist Church that was a mixture of marvelous artistry, high spirits and a fast-paced humor. The near capacity crowd barely caught its collective breath from laughing between tunes before it was awed into a rapt silence by the brilliant streams of notes from Anthony's horn. Anthony was formerly with the Canadian Brass, a group known for its exceptional artistry, down-home charm and frothy humor. He obviously picked up a thing or two, although Beard handled most of the communication with the crowd by relating very funny anecdotes. Beard usually tends the musical flock at Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis, which is where he met Anthony in 1992 and began their musical association. Anthony currently is principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, where he must provide a soaring leadership.
The program had great variety and showed off both men's chops. They began with Albison's Fanfare with Anthony playing on piccolo trumpet from the back of the hall to walk down the aisle to join Beard, who sat at the Frobenius organ near the pulpit. This is a typical Canadian Brass move and very effective. He set his standard high from his first tones: a clear pure and singing tone, fabulous technique, superb line and exceptional control at finishing his sustained ending notes. Beard was always a strong support.
Albinoni's Concerto Saint Marc was done in a lively style. Anthony made feather light attacks, showed an effortless breath control and ornamented in a brilliant but tasteful baroque style.
He played regular trumpet for Faure's lovely "Apres un reve" with a sweet tone and sensitive phrasing. Nothing was forced. Jules Levy's Grand Russian Fantasy had Beard in a big loud organ introduction and Anthony showing off some fast triple tonguing. Beard took a solo turn with a quaint and cute Toccata all'Offertorio by Domenico Zipoli. With Anthony on trumpet and Beard at the piano, they played three hymns that created mesmerizing moods: "Simple Gifts" with Anthony offstage; "The Water is Wide" for piano alone in a rippling arrangement; and "Amazing Grace" with flugelhorn from the back of the hall.
A short interview with the artists brought more amusing horror stories of their 10 years of life on the road. And then it was John Stanley's brilliant Trumpet Voluntary with Anthony on piccolo trumpet, and Ennio Morricone's tuneful "Gabriel's Oboe." Sopranos could only be jealous of Anthony's turn at the Queen of the Night's aria from "The Magic Flute" in which not a high note was missed or stressed. Beard played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the piano. There were two Gershwin tunes: Summertime" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." A quirky blues, "Echoes of Harlem" by Ellington, and then Anthony in a brilliant showstopper, "The Carnival of Venice" with its myriad variations. As he said, he played more notes in that one piece, and very fast, then he played all evening.
The encore was a Te Deum by Charpentier""another baroque special.
This was the final concert of the 16th Frobenius Concert Series.
Copyright (c) 2010 The Daily Gazette Co. All Rights Reserved.
By Christopher Blank
The Memphis Appeal
May 14, 2005
A paying congregation heard a lot of hot air coming from the pulpit at Lindenwood Christian Church Friday night.
Please take that in the most complimentary way.
To hear the kind of music played by trumpeter Ryan Anthony and pipe organist Gary Beard, there's gotta be deep lungs and ample bellows somewhere in the building.
Together, the two musicians gave one heck of a farewell recital, filling the church with sanctified notes from the Baroque to the present day.
While Lindenwood's concert series hasn't been around quite as long as the music, 26 years is an admirable milestone, particularly for Beard, who started the series back when Memphis's classical music options were fewer.
With more choices now, Beard brought his series to a close Friday. He's now keeping busy as a recitalist, director of music at Theatre Memphis and performing his regular duties as the church's choral director.
Anthony, a former member of the Canadian Brass, lives here in the city and attends Lindenwood, to the continued delight of Sunday parishioners.
He and Beard recently recorded a superb album of pipe organ and trumpet music simply titled "Ryan Anthony with Gary Beard."
The two church brethren were a perfect closing act for the series, showing the audience that repertoire for organ and trumpet is much wider ranging than oldies such as Vivaldi and Albinoni.
Alternating between five different Yamaha brass instruments -- a piccolo trumpet, fluegelhorn, cornet, rotary trumpet and a B-flat trumpet -- Anthony explored varying tones and textures with pieces such as Faure's "Apres un reve" (After a Dream), Jules Levy's "Grand Russian Fantasy" and three gospel hymns. His touching "Amazing Grace" was delivered via fluegelhorn from the rear balcony.
The duo has great onstage chemistry; Beard's comic timing is impeccable. "As in most cases with opera, it sounds better without singers," he joked before he and Anthony performed an elegant transcription of the "Queen of the Night" aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute."
The last song before an encore of "How Great Thou Art" was one of the horn repertoire's flashiest pieces, "Carnival of Venice" by Herbert L. Clarke.
"Gary wanted to squeeze all the notes of the last 26 years into the last song," Anthony said. He delivered the piece with fluidity and finesse. On the final high note, he faked not being able to reach it. "26 years for this!" he shouted, breathlessly, before sending it through the roof.
Copyright 2005, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
