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Concert Critique – Example of A level work
5 Paragraph format: introduction, 3 topic paragraphs, and conclusion paragraph.
Topics are introduced in the first paragraph.
Topics are supported by specific details, and are supported by more than the minimum of 3
details.
Smooth transitions between topics.
Correct grammar and spelling. Titles of musical works are underlined.
The fall Orchestra Concert was very successful. The Symphony orchestra practiced hard
and the performance illustrated all of the work the orchestra put in. The **** symphony orchestra
displayed, but sometimes had a lack of dynamics, technique, and togetherness.
Dynamics can determine the difference between an excellent or mediocre performance. In
the first movement of Mozart, the dynamics were easily projected out to the audience. The
crescendos served to shape the phrases well. During the Presto movement of the Mozart, the
fortissimo was very well done and effective. However, in the beginning of Reflections, the
orchestra struggled with the first major crescendo. Reflections could have been better performed if
the orchestra had dynamics other than mezzo forte; on the other hand, the end of the piece was a
great decrescendo into nothingness. When playing Mantras, the orchestra had clearly defined
crescendos (at the beginning and in the transition) and pianos (middle section). There was some
difficulty with crescendoing enough after the slow section, though. The dynamics of the orchestra
were overall good, but could have been improved upon.
As the Symphony Orchestra, it is expected that they can display high levels of technique.
The difficulty with playing Mozart was that the cellos, along with the other strings, were much too
heavy. In the third movement of Mozart, the Presto, the cellos were often gritty when playing on
their low strings. Especially during Mozart, the first violins had awesome accents. In Reflections,
all musicians had difficulty with playing completely legato because of the string crossings. This
could have been avoided if some had shifted up to compensate. The technique of the Symphony
Orchestra is an area in which all players would improve in.
The Symphony Orchestra had the most trouble with staying together, but when they did, it
truly displayed a high level of musicality. The first violinists were a little behind on the fast runs,
and the entire orchestra was late by varying degrees when ending the Allegro of the Mozart. In the
beginning of the development in the Presto of the Mozart, the cellos as a section were slightly off
in the round. Part of being together is looking the part. In the same section of Mozart, the violins
were not in the same part of the bow. It was made very obvious because the first stand was at the
tip while bows at the frog were peppered throughout the section. The ending of Reflections could
have been executed better due to the fact that many musicians did not look up at Miss Pham and
therefore also did not know when or how much to ritard. The cellos started off a bit on the slow
side for Mantras which threw off the rest of the orchestra. They were able to get back on track.
The violinists demonstrated the visual beauty of a section playing with the same part of their bow.
Blue Fire Fiddler was very mushy and not together starting at measure 37, where the cello section
had the melody. It was obvious that all cellists needed more practice! When the orchestra was
together, it was very impressive, but when they were not, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
Overall, the Fall Orchestra Concert was wonderfully done. There were some parts where
the orchestra could have done better. However, they did play the best they could and actually did
much better than expected. The HEHS Symphony Orchestra demonstrated dynamics, technique,
and togetherness, even though some pieces were done not so well in those areas.