University of Virginia Library

MUSIC

Dullness In Concert

By TERI TOWE

Anna Russell, the concert
comedienne, once described
the English nineteenth
century art song as "pure but
dull." I regret to say that I
think that the description
applies, almost without
exception, to the many
chamber orchestras that have
been formed during the past 25
years.

Unfortunately, the Munich
Chamber Orchestra, which
appeared in Cabell Hall on
Tuesday evening under the
direction of Hans Stadlmair, is
not one of the exceptions that
proves the rule.

The concert opened with a
rather lukewarm reading of J.S.
Bach's Brandenburg Concerto
No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048.
The performance lacked life
and spirit, and, during the last
movement, the ensemble was
not good. At least the fast
movements were played