It's not easy bringing together a group with as many variables as a concert band. Each section must have just the right number of people playing at just the right volume at the exact moment, creating a balancing act that can be almost impossible to maintain. At Tuesday night's concert, in which the Symphonic Band performed Alfred Reed's "Armenian Dances," the balance was maintained spectacularly, creating a wonderful musical experience whose own balance captivated the packed Irish Room in Gasson Hall.
Packed, however, is a bit of an understatement. It was beyond standing-room only - people were standing behind curtains and in the hallway outside trying to catch an earful of the music.
The music slections catered beautifully to both the audience and to the band. Ranging from frantic, upbeat medleys to slow wedding dances, the selection of "Armenian Dances" was a brilliant one. Perhaps most apropos, however, was the length. Clocking in at no more than 40 minutes, the concert became accessible to a vast array of students simply because it didn't eat up a whole night (not to mention the free admission).
Musically, the choice made sense as well - the downbeat movements still held interest for an occasionally difficult audience that was often difficult to please. It did not seem out of the musicians' individual skill levels, either, although there were a couple moments in the first movement that seemed a bit muddled - usually those with many quick-moving runs in the woodwind sections. Such difficulties are natural, and did not retract from the experience in the slightest, but they were noticeable. All in all, David Healey, BC '92, did an excellent job guiding talented musicians through a well-chosen piece.
The first movement, the aptly titled "Armenian Dances," is a collection of Armenian dances, originally compiled by Gomidas Vartabed and then arranged for concert band by Dr. Alfred Reed. It is further divided into several sections, each based on one of Vartabed's compilations, but all remain generally up tempo. This allowed the concert to open on an exciting note (forgive the pun) and immediately showcased the musicians' considerable skill.
The second movement, "Hov Arek" (or "Come, Breeze") is about a peasant's plea with the mountains to free him of his woes. It is appropriately melancholy, yet with a subtle undertone of hope that underscores how music is one of the few art forms that can truly exude multiple emotions at once.
The third movement, "Khoomar," has nothing to do with White Castle - in fact, it's a wedding song, whose beautiful melody blends with its sing-song feeling. You could almost see the drunken relatives waltzing about the room.
The final movement, "Lorva Horovel," deals with a farmer, and his immediate mental and emotional connection with his work. In this movement, the silence was as important as the sound, for each strong attack was followed by a few moments of silence, mirroring the physical work the farmer does. Dramatic, powerful, and climactic, it was the perfect finale.
Each movement was performed nearly impeccably, though I must admit as an audience member I preferred the first two movements to the final two. While my expertise in music may be debated, my love cannot - and in that respect, I believe the Symphonic Band put on a wonderful concert that pleasantly surprised me both in quality and aptitude. Each moment felt complete, the sound melded together as only beautiful harmonies can, and the music became the evening.
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