http://www.indy.com/posts/4166 en-us rhorr At the beginning of Saturday's concert, Maestro Venzago addressed the audience and observed that there were about 900 empty seats. He then praised those of us in attendance as the strong core of concert goers and he thanked us for coming as did many members of the orchestra by stomping their feet and tapping their bows. What followed was another in an increasingly long string of brilliant musical performances that is rising testimony that the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is indeed, one of the ten best symphony orchestras in America. As a close friend and colleague remarked, the ISO has gone from the "wasn't that last a nice note?" to the "if you think that note was good, just wait for the next one!" Under Maestro Venzago's direction, the orchestra is carving a legacy of sound heretofore unheard in this City. For whatever reasons, there is a dearth of Native American composers and performers dotting the American Musical landscape. I was totally unfamiliar with Dr. Ballard's work, and while he is unlikely to ever be ranked among the greatest of American composers, his music was well-crafted and quite accessible. Because he passed away before fulfilling his ISO commission for a piano concerto, remaining work was left to Brent Michael Davids to wrap up the opening movement and then create two additional movements to complete the concerto. In addressing a group of concertgoers in the ISO's weekly Words On Music forum, Davids acknowledged that he could not play piano, but studied intensely, the piano writings of Dr. Ballard and those of Franz Liszt (and I suspect some Copland too). The end result was a beautifully lyrical memoriam for the lengthy second movement, articulated so well by soloist Emanuele Arciuli. The movement really deserves a life of its own as the backbone of a one movement concerto, because thematically, it didn't seem to totally fit with the first and third movements. After intermission, the ISO played the complete Leimenkannan Suite from Sibelius's Four Legends that was astonishing in its virtuosity. Roger Roe's English horn solo on the Swan of Tuonela was outstanding as was principal cellist, Arkady Orlovsky's accompanying solo work. Both received standing ovations at the performance's conclusion. Next week, excellent American conductor Andrew Litton will be the guest maestro in an all-Russian program punctuated with Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony. Don't miss it! Bob Orr Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:46:45 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4166#comment_12216 http://www.indy.com/posts/4166#comment_12216 kmcummins This was a wonderful concert and I think it is a shame that more of our city art lovers did not enjoy this gift tonight. I was in awe of the artists that provided the audience with such a stirring performance to lift our spirits to new heights above the daily grind. The Native American composers, Louis W. Ballard and Brent Michael Davids were a delight to learn from, and listen to, their talents and additions to our history of music in this land. The ISO is providing this city with something that too many are missing. The talent of these performing artists is as enjoyable as watching the Colts win but so many of our citizens don't realize the joy of this great music right here under our noses. Come on Indy, did you miss the performance a few weeks ago when Thomas Wilkins, a talented African American Conductor came to bless our city? Come and hear what the ISO has to offer before you miss another fabulous Symphony concert. Karen Cummins, ACSW, LCSW Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:12:46 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4166#comment_12208 http://www.indy.com/posts/4166#comment_12208