University of Virginia Library

MUSIC

Rogoff And UNICOM In Rapport

By Roy Bonavita
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Joel Lazar conducted the
University and Community
Orchestra ("UNICOM") in a
concert of works by Mozart and a
Symphony by Robert Schumann in
Cabell Hall Auditorium last Friday
evening at 8:30 p.m.

UNICOM was slow to stir itself
in the opening work, Mozart's
overture to his "Magic Flute". The
result was a rather poor first part of
the overture, with some briskness
and unity toward the end. There is
a commitment, lacking in the
musicians which is terribly difficult
to understand since Mr. Lazar's
conducting pattern is clearly
defined. There was an occasional
moment of sunshine, woodwinds.

Rony Rogoff, a handsome and
vibrant young violinist from
Julliard, was soloist in Mozart's
Violin Concerto No. 5, called the
"Turkish". Mr. Rogoff deserves
great praise for a beautifully paced
and delightfully executed
performance of certainly one of
the great virtuoso violin works.
None of the charm, wit, elegance,
grace etc., of Mozart's music was
lost by Mr. Ragoff in his playing.

Mr. Lazar held forces in
relatively good check, although the
second violin section is in need of a
first-rate concertmaster. Mr.
Rogoff's musicianship is very
appealing, and he maintained
excellent rapport with the
orchestra.

Robert Schumann's symphonies
belong, to my thinking, in the
B-A-S-H school It is terribly
difficult to bring off without the
feeling of being smothered. Szell is
the only major conductor I've
known to do it. The demands of
the string sections are too great for
UNICOM at this stage. It has to
start somewhere, and this work is
consistent with the growth pattern
of the orchestra this year.

It has grown considerably. The
concerts have been more frequent.
The audience size has more than
doubled. The programs have been
remarkably varied. So have the
results. It is a labor of love and one
must try to remember that. No one
gets paid.

There is a tendency among
concert-goers, however, to sincerely
demand better programs, better
musicianship, more soloists from
within and without UNICOM itself.
I said earlier this year that people
are getting to the place where they
do not feel compelled to drive to
Washington or further for musical
events except for the most erudite
specialties like the Met's production
of Strauss' Die Frau. We'll have to
wait some time for that, but it is
moving closer to the University
which is important.

This is a major accomplishment
on the part of the music
department and everyone
associated with it. Mr. Lazar, these
musicians in UNICOM, and all the
audience can take some pride in
advancing the musical environment
of this area considerably in a short
period of time. We all thank you
for making the University a nicer
place to be.

Upcoming musical events: 12
March, University Concert Band,
Joel Lazar, conductor, works by
Walton, Holst, Schubert, among
others; 19 March, Honegger's KING
DAVID, University Glee Club and
the Hollins College Choir, soloist
from the University-Community
Orchestra, conducted by Donald
Loach. 28 March holds a special
concert by the Virginia
Intercollegiate Orchestra. Among
the guest conductors will be
Virginia's Joel Lazar. The first two
concerts are at 8:30 p.m. in Cabell
Hall; the last is in Cabell Hall at 2
p.m.

—Ed.)