Word: harbison
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...Bach Society and its gifted conductor, John Harbison, presented an enjoyable program for its final offering of the season. Including a beautiful Bach cantata and a piano concerto by Mozart, the concert was well received by a large audience in Piano Hall Sunday evening...
Bach's cantata No. 133 "Ich Freue Mich in Dir," was performed by the orchestra and a small vocal ensemble. Under Harbison's forceful leadership, the instrumentalists consistently produced a luminous full-bodied tone. A highlight was provided by the sensitive oboe and continuo accompaniment to the contralto's aria; it had the cohesiveness of chamber music at its finest...
...contralto aria were the ones that gave Barbara Blanchard the most trouble; perhaps a reversal of the parts might have benefitted both ladies. In the incisive opening chorus and the stirring chorale at the work's close, the small chorus proved to be simply too small. One can appreciate Harbison's attempt to scale down a reading of a Bach cantata but, nonetheless, the chorus must be large enough to be heard...
...John Harbison's conducting is becoming much more relaxed, without losing any of its control. The orchestra occasionally lapsed into an unpolished, open sound, particularly in the Flute Concerto where it covered the soloist; but for the most part, Harbison's handling of dynamics was attentive, and in parts of the Piston, very exciting. A more intense beat, besides lending even more excitement, would add rhythmic sureness and vivacity. Otherwise, both his and the Orchestra's work indicates much to look forward to, and one hopes they will not become assimilated into the larger Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra next year...
...Bach Society Orchestra, under the direction of John Harbison '60, will present a concert of works by Purcell, Piston, and Mozart tomorrow evening at 8:30 p.m. in Paine Hall...