|
|
|
|
|
Date: November
16, 2004 |
SYMPHONY, AULER
OUTSTANDING |
| LaPorte
Herald-Argus
by Robert Dure |
"Chart Toppers" was the title of the opening
concert for the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra Saturday
evening. It was another pops-type concert with tables set
up in the Civic Auditorium, where patrons could buy refreshments.
A large audience was assembled for what turned out to be
a very interesting evening for various reasons.
The Northwest Youth Symphony, which Philip Bauman also conducts along with his
LaPorte County duties, was featured in the first two numbers on the program.
The opening piece was the "Marche Slav" by Tchaikovsky. With the added
young musicians, the orchestra consisted of strings and winds seated on the floor
and brass and percussion on the thrust portion of the stage in front of the curtain.
The ensuing output of sound was overpowering; very exciting, but very loud. However,
to Bauman's credit, he kept control over the mass of musicians. The performance
was very good, but the strings had to really struggle for survival against the
brass and percussion.
This was followed by a performance of "Farandole from L'Arlesienne Suite
No. 2" by Georges Bizet. Again, the attacks were clean and the ensemble
had good balance, except the output of sound. The quality of sound however, was
exceptional.
The rest of the program consisted of "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" by
Rachmaninov, "Spellbound Concerto" by Miklos Rozsa, and "Jupiter
Symphony, No. 41" by Mozart.
Let me comment on the Mozart first. The orchestra sounded the best I have heard
them. The phrasing had some elegance to it, and the balance was the best I have
heard in the Civic.
Being on the floor, the sections of the orchestra blended well and the balance
was fine. The string section could hold its own with the other sections. The
playing had vibrancy and expressiveness. They seemed to be able to hear each
other far better than when on stage.
Maybe a better way to say it is that the projection of sound was even and full-bodied.
The orchestra, overall, has improved on the level of musicianship within its
members.
Now to the best aspects of the concert. The remaining two works were for orchestra
and piano. The piano soloist was Robert Auler, a faculty member of State University
of New York at Oswego. Auler is well known to this writer because of his appearances
in Michigan City Chamber Music Festival concerts.
Auler is gaining an outstanding reputation for his sensitive and expressive playing.
He is one of the best pianists and musicians I have heard for quite some time.
His technical virtuosity is stunning. He has exquisite control over dynamics
and musical nuance. He has plenty of power in his playing, and on the other hand
can shape a pianissimo phrase with many timbres.
I have always been impressed with his dexterity and skill, but with his musicality
sharpened to such a height, he seems to be able to bring expressive qualities
to a half note. Auler's playing brings an immediate response from the listener.
The audience seemed to respond to him.
The Rachmaninov has been used in many of Hollywood's films. Rozsa composed the
music for the Hitchcock movie "Spellbound" and later completed the
concerto. Both concertos have some challenging moments, but Auler performed them
with seeming ease. You must see and hear this artist whenever you get the chance.
He is the Artist in Residence for the symphony this season and will be featured
in a chamber concert next February.
Auler told me he felt the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra is "a first-class
orchestra." I tend to agree with him when presented with the evidence Saturday
evening.
|
|
| ROBERT
DURE, of LaPorte, holds bachelor's and master's
degrees in music.
He is active in area opera and concert work. |
|
|
|
|
