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Oc^tober 27, 1969 The N. C. Essay Page 4 CG’NCERT REFLECTS The orchestra concert pre sented Thursday evening in the Main Auditorium was impressive. The most impressive element of the con cert, for this reviewer at least, was that the conductor had the nerve to return and conduct the second half of the program. The concert consisted of an organ toccata, written originally by 17th century organist, Fres- cobaldi, transcribed by Kindler. The strings, as has been their usual habit in previous concerts, were weak, strained, and altogether lacking in spirit and vivacity. Most apparent in the Strauss Serenade for Nind Instruments was a lack of good ensemble between the brass and woodwinds. The oboe solo ist., however, is specially noted for some rather good playing. The Three Joyous Marches, by Krenek proved to be a little better in ensemble, but a great deal more apathetic in the reading, (and in deed it sounded as if it were a reading, rather than a performance). The orchestra does seem to have improved in the percussion department, J€UJ€LS, CoNT. FROM 3 The finale is a great Polonaise, and it is a sight to see as all the dancers come sweeping on. National dancers do not come easily to Ameri can dancers and, on the first night, they did not quite have the measure of it and towards the end, came dangerously close to disintegration. But i!t is all there and Balanchine, who has already given us wonderful Polonaises in Theme and Va:riations and La Sonnanibulay has surpassed himself here. SUZANNE FARRELL Suzanne Farrell, a Snow Queen of supple regality, and Jacques d' Amboise as her adoring cavalier, lead this third portion of the ballet. Sleek and slimmed down this season, Suzanne Farrell is developing as a personality of de murely, delicious authority. Jacques d'Amboise appears to have temporarily mislaid his jump and his determination never to allow anything to appear difficult makes for a soft look which is not out of place on so tall and masculine a figure. We should be able to sense the steel inside the velvet. Emeralds^ Eub-ies^ Diamonds - they add up to a major Balanchine ballet, which hardly needs further recommendation. especially in the battery. The tym panist showed fine control, and an ability to play dynamically, a for tunate change from last year. Perhaps the most perturbing part of the program for this reviewer was the Rhenish Symphony by the master, Robert Schumann. All of the weakness es and lacks in the orchestra, which were apparent in the other pieces, were brought to painful realization in the piece which requires a passi- nate intensity from both the conductor and the players. Neither were at all apparent. This stunning work was reduced to pablum under the baton of John luele and his direction, I feel, was a di rect of the obvious indifference of his orchestra. Despite these flaws, the reviewer was very much impressed by solid, pre cise and excellent playing by the French horn section. This was es pecially notable in the difficult 2nd movement. After sitting in on many of the rehearsals for this concert, and after listening to the conductor's less than astute observations of the playing, I was not in the least surprised by the cheap performance given. by Mike Ferguson October 15th, Viet Nam Mor atorium Day, was a curious, dis turbing day for many of us. It made us ask ourselves questions which have no easy answers. During the course of that day, we should have learned a lot about ourselves. Many of us marched, some spent their time in silent vigil, while others chose their own form of mourn ing and protest. But the important thing is not what We did, but why we did it. And why on October 15th? If this war is such a serious thing (and it is), why are we not wearing black arm bands every day, every where? Why is not every day a dedicated commitment to the ending of this war? The problem I had on October 15th was one of moral hypocrisy. I wore an arm band, but after a few hours I took it off. I couldn't participate in any demonstrations because I would have felt hypocritical. Not that I don't agree with the principles behind the moratorium, I do, quite strongly. But if I'm so damned concerned about ending this war, why then isn't ray daily APATHY The players were often late to rehearsals, usually woefully out of tune, and most apparently apathetic to the conductor, who, I must admit usually sounded like a high school band director coddling his clarinets. The results were the same. As I've already mentioned, the concert was most impressive. It mainly was impressive that a school which claims to be a place where the performer gives himself completely over to his chosen field should have a great number of "artists" who - perhaps several reasons could just care less about their performance. I do not believe that a new conductor, better players, or any other of the hundreds of pointed suggestions I've heard from the students would be of any ultimate solution. On rare occasions. I've actually seen Mr. luele conduct; and this always coin cided to w^ien the performers seemed to "give a damn" about the way they sounded. If players stopped their con stant complaining and buck-passing, and got down to the serious busi ness of mastering their art, it is my firm belief that the conductor would take note and work with the players instead of being so obtusely not with them. activity a conscious effort toward some kind of similar action? Pro bably because I lack the guts to stand alone in such a stance and be cause I'm too concerned about my own well being to take such a position. There, I've said it. At least I've finally been honest with myself. That being the case, I cannot, in good conscience, don an arm band for one day, nor can I march for a few isolated hours, nor can I boy cott my classes. It's my hang-up, but that's how I feel. But don't get me wrong, the Moratorium was indeed a signifi cant event. Certainly its impact was staggering. And I'm sure that most of the people who participated were pure in purpose and hopeful of its outcome. But if we are really going to do something about ending this war, we cannot give one or two days and think that will suffice. Nor can we allow our Moratoriums to become spotlights for those who find such events glamorous and exciting. That's an ego-trip and we've had enough of that already. This is too serious a matter to be come somebody's plaything. Bobbitt TH€ UI€UU fROm H€fi€ We can effect change, that was painfully evident to us in Chicago. It's obvious that in order (Cpnt. on page 5)
N.C. Essay (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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