Hungarian soloist enlivens Symphony

The Carson City Symphony, with David Bugli conducting, did itself proud Sunday afternoon with a mixed presentation of older standards, such as von Suppe's "Poet and Peasant Overture" and Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances" and a new piece.

But the level of playing soared when guest artist Hungarian Boglarka Kiss joined the symphony to play "Concerto for Flute and orchestra" by Endre Szervanszky. The music became electric and at one point Kiss, accompanied only by a kettle drum beat, offered a class in master flute playing. Her tones were rich and full, without the usual harshness often heard in the flute. Playing with such a soloist apparently gave the symphony players a boost.

Also on hand was the Sierra Flute Playing Ensemble, seven women who somehow managed not to stab each other with their flutes as they played the "Grand Quartet in E Minor" by Friedrich Kuhlau. Fine fun.

The symphony is composed of players who receive no pay for their efforts, so let's give them a bow right here:

Violin I, Ginny Tilton, * Trudy Gonzales, Elinor Bugli, Sue Domina, Bill Sell, John Novak, Sarah Colborn

Violin II, Laura Gibson,** Salli Blair, Wendy Andrews, Nan Kreher

Viola, Sue Kitts,** Kay Diederich

Cello, Lou Groffman,** Sara Whitaker, Jane Johnson,*** Janelle Zahtilla, David Colborn

Bass, Paul Zahtilla,** George Worth

Flute/Piccolo, Lydie Heidweiller

Flute, Allison Smith, Edith Isidoro-Mills

Oboe, Zeb Bellon, Greg Mindrum

Clarinet, Tony Chieffo, Dan Lancaster

Bassoon, Joan Young, Bob Hiestand

Horn, Alan Pefley, Jen Sturm, Bob Beach, Lin Nelson

Trumpet, Bob Masters, Brianna Kurtz, Rolf Johnson

Trombone, Dean Carter, Amy Meeks, David Johnson

Tuba, Jill Tighe-Reed

Timpany/Percussion, Sally Higgins, Dalton Moffat, Lisa Hovden, Timmy Chatwood

Piano, Katie Lauder

Stage Manager, Grant Mills

* Concertmaster

** Section principal

***Librarian

Are they kidding?

I subscribed to Esquire magazine recently when the offer was $5 for a year. Much of the magazine is standard magazine stories, but what caught the eye was the men's fashion section.

I think the editors are serious when they straight-faced recommend a silk-pocket square for $75 and a herringbone jacket for $895. Then there's a two-button wool suit for a modest $2,495. Gasp!

Maybe Nevada has distorted my fashion sense.

From the vaults

Meg Ryan is probably most famous for her role in the comedy "When Harry Met Sally," in which she mugged and laughed her way along.

Her more recent venture, "In the Cut," is completely out of sync with the Sally role. This time, she is a schoolteacher in a tough neighborhood who becomes involved with a police detective (Mark Ruffalo) investigating a murder in her back yard.

There's a nude scene that forever erases Ryan as a sweet, witty thing. The movie itself has some holes in it, but it demonstrates that Ryan can handle the other side of the street.

Jennifer Jason Leigh also stars. Not for kiddies.