Yes, indeed, the Fort Worth Symphony is much better than any community
orchestra.  They did an excellent Mahler 5 today, and they also did a good
job with the Barber Violin Concerto, which Pamela Frank projected with
soaring lyrical warmth.  The only problems in any of the playing were a
few problems with balance.  My major gripe against FW Symphony is the
stodginess of their programming.

We actually do have some good community orchestras here in Tarrant County,
TX.  Technically they're not of professional quality, but they do play
music and not just notes.  One did a better than credible job with the
Grand Canyon Suite and Ginastera's Pampeana #3 a few weeks ago--the rest
of the program features Dukas's "La Peri" fanfare (surprisingly well done)
and some violin pieces turned into balalaika solos.  Great programming that
the symphony could well affort to learn from.

Aaron J. Rabushka
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