Viewpoints
Death of Gordan Wright
By Roger McDonald
February 18, 2007
Sunday PM
Alaska has lost a fine musician and conductor in the death of
Gordan Wright a few days ago. I was priviledged to be able to
attend a number of his concerts during my time in Fairbanks but
one stands out in particular. I believe it was one of the first
concerts held in the new concert/theater/library/fine arts center
built at the University in Fairbanks in the mid-late '70's.
It was a performance of the "1812 Overture" and at
the finale, when the bells are ringing and the cannon firing,
Gordan Wright arranged with the Army to station some howitzers
outside the back wall of the hall. At the appropiate time the
howitzers were fired, shooting large pieces of cork against the
wall of the building. It was a glorious ending to a rousing
piece of music and brought the entire concert hall to our feet
in a thunderous ovation.
I would hope there are other
readers out there with some comments on other Gordan Wright performances.
Roger McDonald
Ketchikan, AK
Received February 18, 2007 - Published February 18, 2007
About: "Lived in Fairbanks
prior to moving to Ketchikan in '79"
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