The MAC reopens with IU Philharmonic

After months of nail-biting and negotiating, the music school has at last reopened the doors to its monumental Musical Arts Center, complete with updated heating, cooling and sound systems, but more importantly, sans the asbestos. \nFollowing a benefit dinner for the Friends of Music Society, the IU Philharmonic, under the able baton of maestro David Effron, gave the MAC its first public performance since its closing at the beginning of the summer for renovations.\nThere are always certain inherent risks to presenting a full concert so early in the semester. Perhaps the music is under-prepared, or possibly the ensemble has not quite achieved the positive sort of group-think necessary for a successful performance. Sadly, neither problem was completely overcome Wednesday evening as the orchestra softly called forth the opening strains of Cesar Franck's "Symphony in D Minor."\nThe orchestra portrayed the several mood changes of the first movement with great drama, but the winds were not without their missteps in pitch and the upper strings possessed an often uncomfortably bright timbre resulting in a lack of blend and pitch accuracy. They were, nonetheless, remarkably responsive to their conductor, allowing Effron to draw from them extreme contrasts of expression throughout the remainder of the symphony.\nThe second movement showcased some fine solo work on the English and French horns, both notoriously difficult instruments. The brass section was also in fine form, maintaining a fine sense of balance and tone.\nThe second half of the evening featured a much-anticipated performance by internationally acclaimed concert pianist Peter Serkin. His first selection was Igor Stravinsky's "Movements for Piano & Orchestra," a wildly obscure experimental piece from the composer's serialist period. Serkin and the orchestra offered a tightly constructed interpretation of this piece to which I, for one, had been previously unexposed.\nSerkin's second selection was Mozart's "Concerto No. 24 in C Minor." This particular concerto was an interesting choice because it came across as being more important for its form rather than for its content. There were several lovely moments, particularly in the Larghetto second movement. But Serkin seemed to exercise a rather heavy-handed approach to Mozart that lacked both clarity and elegance. The orchestra, for its part, responded well to the dictates of the soloist, though still leaving something to be desired in the way of blend.\nThis situation will improve, certainly, as the semester progresses. Ensemble quality is not produced overnight, and there are many future performances to which to look forward.\nThe School's free Orchestra Series continues Wednesday night with a performance of the IU Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Principal Guest Conductor Uriel Segal. Also, the IU Opera Season begins the evening of Sept. 24 with Puccini's classic "La Boheme," and of course, there is the eagerly anticipated Fall Ballet in October.\nIt is my sincere hope that the IU and Bloomington communities will support the School of Music and take advantage of the many invaluable cultural and educational opportunities granted them. They are simply unparalleled.