ARTS Thursday, March 5, 1987 ,he Michigan Daily Page 7 Sienna/Abbado: Perfectly uninspired By Rebecca Chung Bruno Walter once said of the Vienna Philharmonic: "This Phil - harmonic tone, which for me dates from 1897, is still the same today, even though not single player from those days is still in the orchestra. -What is it? One might call it tradition." If tradition gives this orchestra the rich, polished sound it displayed last Tuesday night at Hill, then someone should seal every orchestra in a barrel of tradition for a century or so. In the meantime, Claudio Abbado and the Vienna Phil - harmonic might consider aerating itself just a little - to take away an overwhelming heaviness and, if you will, enliven the musical bouquet. Overall, Abbado and the Philhar - monic performed masterfully, play - ing through Beethoven's First and Third (Eroica) Symphonies with - out missing any interpretive cues. For example, the opening of the First was appropriately dramatic, and the first theme an effective contrast. In fact, it was even lively. But all the repeated passages in emphasize and stretch the beauty of the melodies, Abbado and company merely, well, repeated the notes (with all expected dynamics). It was this seesaw from rote playing to inspired musicality that kept the concert from greatness. Each movement dragged after five minutes, although not usually from a poor tempo; the Philharmonic did not make any major mistakes Tuesday night. The problem was one of liveliness; even their expres - sion seemed mechanical. It turned the "March Funebre" of the Eroica into more of a dirge than Beethoven intended and had one counting the measures until the recapulation of the "Scherzo." The pervasive lack of energy was all the more lamentable after one heard the orchestra's finer mo - ments. The opening notes in the fourth movement of Symphony No. 1 were deliciously sus penseful as they whirlwinded into the allegro molto. One didn't want the evocative horn passages in the third movement of the Eroica to end. Most tantalizing of all was the beginning of every movement, because one felt a slight breeze of energy sweep across the hall. If this wind had not invariably died out, there would have been magic at Hill last Tuesday night. ... conductor Claudio Abbado the first movement were enough to slow the Philharmonic. Rather than using the restatements to Records Area White Canvas New Hope Office Records Several months back, I wrote about a cassette by a unique band called The Arms of Someone New. TAOSN is essentially a duo ("project" is more accurate) composed of Steve Jones and Mel Eberle. In addition to managing their Office Records label, a fanzine, assorted other projects, and working with TAOSN, Jones, being the prolific sort that he is, . also plays with a rather innovative trio dubbed Area. White Canvas New Hope is this band's debut, and is one of the several recent cassette releases avaliable on Champaign, llinois' refreshing homegrown 'label. Area is fronted by vocalist Lynn -Canfield, whose soft and lilting voice practically melts over their dreamy music. The trio is quite reminiscent of England's Cocteau f Twins; their eerie, delicate tunes w offer fragments of a reflective ;moment, a quiet sanctuary, or even a distprbing encounter. Using what is apparantly the same drum machine ofJ nes' other band, Area continues in the tradition of creating effective, unobtusive, and truly appropriate synthetic percussion which blends well beneath their airy arrangements. "The Blue Spark" is just lovely; the percussion taps along, guiding Canfield's beautiful harmonies and a heartbreakingly simple piano melody. Dropping this rhythm machine for a guitar, the band becomes the aural equivalent of diaphanous (really, trust me) on the sad and peaceful "Michael Writes His Parents," and "Parachute." At times the formula flounders slightly, as on "Copper," which is so pretty and frail that it just can't congeal, and on the somewhat heavy-handed effects of "All About Money." But these flaws are really small in the long play. White Canvas New Hope is a simply. bewitching little number - perhaps even the more so because of how unassuming it is. Also out on Office Records: Split Heavens' Stonger than the Rain cassette is a rather new wave- ish splash of product that sounds an awful lot like they've been under the influence of the Psychedelic Furs. Without Richard Butler's gravelly voice, of course. It's not bad, and in fact it probably stands up pretty well to the plethora of dark-and-danceable-Brit-come-latelys out there. Also, Spinetrails is a tape by Nick Rudd, who has played with TAOSN. Rudd plays several instruments and writes an eclectic batch of tunes, all distinctively eerie; some are very good. For a cassette of your very own by any of these aforementioned artists, you can try checking the displays at Schoolkids. Or write Office Records at PO Box 2081 Station A, Champaign, Illinois 61820. - Beth Fertig Harvard t i June 29 - August 21, 1987 Harvard Summer School, America's oldest academic summer session, offers open-enrollment in nearly 250 day and evening liberal arts courses, a diverse curriculum including courses appropriate for fulfilling undergraduate and graduate degree requirements, and programs designed for personal or professional development. The international student body has access to Harvard's outstanding libraries, museums, athletic facilities, and cultural activities, to nearby Boston and the Cambridge community, and to Harvard's historic residences. Featured is a college-level program for secondary school juniors and seniors in addition to special programs in Health Professions (for minority students), Drama, Film Studies, Dance, Writing, Ukrainian Studies, and English as a Second Language. To receive a catalogue or information about a specific program, return the coupon below or call our 24-hour line at (617) 495-2494. For information call (617)495-2921. Please allow 3-4 weeksfor delivery. [ ] YES, please send a 1987 Harvard Summer School catalogue and/or specific information about the following program(s): ADVERTISERS, DON'T FORGET... ch 6, 1987g rch 20, 1987 Deadline: 2 pm, Mar( Publication Date: Ma This is your last chance to advertise your latest Spring fashions! 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WAYNE'S LOCATION in the heart of Detroit's Cultural Center enables you to enjoy the park-like beauty of the campus as well as the neighboring Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public I ihrnrv n rri trnit 4idtnrir-ni Q t at School of Public Health Il-Rm #G442 Spring Summer Semester - May 11 - August 6, 1987 Spring Semester - May 11 -June 30, 1987 Summer Semester - July 1 - August 21, 1987 Mayne StateUniversity Clip and Mail to: Wayne State University 6001 Cass, Room 280 Detroit, MI 48202 School of Social Work-Rm #2065A, 2nd floor I W. Engineering Building-Rm #120 Featuring: 4 Apple Macs + printers I I (rmmri it nF] Ittncinn (.thcntar 1