Orchestra opens fall season

Last Friday evening Finney Chapel was packed with people waiting to hear this semester's first Oberlin Orchestra Concert.

The first piece performed was William Kraft's "Vintage Renaissance." This was a unique and interesting piece, combining two completely different musical genres: Renaissance and 20th century. Kraft was able to blend these varying styles surprisingly well.

"The piece took two different styles and put them together, with no other styles in between, to make a fabulous composition," said Karina Schmitz, a violist in the Oberlin Orchestra.

The next piece performed by the orchestra was Dvorak's violin concerto, with soloist Greg Fulkerson. Fulkerson's performance was absolutely excellent; it was moving and well-communicated.

"He was very rewarding to play with," said Schmitz. "It was a very intense performance and the orchestra played great."

The last work on the program, but certainly not the least, was the "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bella Bartok. "It was electrifying," according to one audience member.

Colin Skofield, a conservatory first-year pursuing the cello, said, "It was well put together and well coordinated-a lively rendition of the Bartok Concerto."

The concert was extremely well received. According to Skofield, the concert was flawlessly done. "I had a blast playing," said Schmitz. And that was an attitude obviously pervaded the audience.