CHAMBER MUSIC AT ITS BEST
Violinst and pianist blend passion in perfection
LaPorte
Herald-Argus by Robert Dure
Sunday afternoon was cold and rainy -- a good day spent listening to
fine music at The Presbyterian Church in LaPorte. The LaPorte County
Symphony Orchestra presented a chamber concert featuring the current
season's resident artist, Robert Auler. Auler was assisted by Nicholas
Orbovich, violinist.
Auler is currently on the faculty of New York State University at
Oswego. He also is in great demand as a concert pianist with leading
orchestras and as a recitalist. In June, Auler will make his Carnegie Hall
debut.
Orbovich resides in Michigan City and is often heard in concert and is
prominent in the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival. He also has served as
concertmaster with the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra.
Sunday's program featured two violin sonatas, one by Franck and one by
Brahms. Auler also served up a solo performance of "Mephisto Waltz" by
Liszt.
Auler has demonstrated his virtuosic prowess to local audiences before,
and once again he proved to be a performer who deserves international
attention. His command of the keyboard is simply excellent. He has all the
technical tools, but along with his skill, Auler displays a remarkable
talent for playing with excellent musicianship and insight. One of his most
awesome abilities is that every phrase that he plays seems to live and
breathe. No two notes or chords are played at the precise same dynamic
level. Every succession of tones is individual and his interpretations are
constantly becoming an ever-changing entity. That is quite an accomplishment
when performing a percussive instrument.
Orbovich came very close to matching Auler's skill level. The violin's
tone was rich and warm on Sunday afternoon. Orbovich has the ability to play
with a fervor and passion that matches Auler. Together, they played as one
instrument. The thematic material bounced from piano to violin and back as
the music dictated. This was chamber music playing at its best.
Both sonatas are difficult pieces to perform. There are passages in both
works that demand a constant motion and expressiveness that is unrelenting.
These artists were equal to the task.
The Brahms sonata was composed in 1888, only nine years before Brahms'
death. He was certainly at his utmost mature skill level of composition.
Franck was also at his maturing best for he died four years after
completing his sonata. Two late Romantic giants of music composed difficult
works for the piano and violin, and LaPorte heard performers who were up to
the challenge.
Musicians are not infallible, however, for in the Brahms' performance
there was a moment when apparently the page-turner inadvertently turned two
pages instead of one and the performance was briefly interrupted until they
regrouped and continued.
ROBERT
DURE, of LaPorte, holds bachelor's and master's
degrees in music.
He is active in area opera and concert work.
