Views On Music
Brunell, Frank Octave
of political freedom than conscription. The younger generation would be able to plan its important beginning years with far greater certainty than is now possible, and the somewhat corrosive...
...An invigorating fifty mile stroll in full combat regalia will surely strengthen the feeblest constitution, and even a short exercise like bayonet practice can have a most exhilarating effect on a citizen afflicted from this coeval epidemic of "modern convenience...
...Izler Solomon and the Indianapolis Symphony never fail to surprise the listener with some outstanding performances...
...In the period following Beecham's death, a difficult transition occured before Sir Malcam Sargent was appointed conductor...
...The younger generation would be able to plan its important beginning years with far greater certainty than is now possible, and the somewhat corrosive effects upon morale of the present system of deferments and exemptions would be ended...
...Under its great English conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham, the orchestra fashioned many memorable performances, some of which were (Continued on Page 12) INCITES The continuing equivocation, politicalization, and escalation of our Vietnamese summer maneuvers have exposed poor General Candy Bar's draft system to heavier bombardments than the Ho Chi Minh Trail...
...For a university with resources enough to completely revise the Auditorium's lighting system at a cost of over $150,000, for a university with interest and support enough to attract one of the world's finest music faculties, and for a university with such a distinguished history of outstanding artistic attractions, it is at once silly and tragic that nothing has been done to improve the acoustics of the Indiana University Auditorium...
...This emotive agitation is more the symptom of an unpleasant war, an internecine rendezvous with befuddlement...
...That these dead spots do exist in our Auditorium, and that there is a real acoustical inferiority in these areas is well established...
...Thus, Milton Friedman, heralded by the Establishment as an economic disaster, and Barry Goldwater, the Alf Landon of our era, camouflaged as Lar Daley, have combined with little Teddy Kennedy and Gus Hall in criticizing an institution effecting society even more salubriously than either the Southern Christian Leadership Conference or the Ford Foundation...
...Also, seats in the front orchestra and front balcony sections are fine...
...I'd hate not to be protected from the rampant brainwashing that seems to be everywhere these days...
...This hall, unfortunately, has what are known as dead spots which engulf an alarming proportion of the seats...
...One might more fruitfully question the kind of war than the kind of conscription...
...VIEWS ON MUSIC For a view of something outside university life and the classroom, for something beyond the dimensions of the Midwest, for an exposure to culture drawn from the world of music, drama, or dance, visit the Indiana University Auditorium...
...Then too, this age of ritualistic luxury — crowned by the emergence of the electric toothbrush and compoz — has left the average American so debilitated and otiose that one might well wonder from whence he gets the energy to palpitate his shriveled heart...
...dead spots...
...A cultural center for the state, the Auditorium's programming shows imagination and effort...
...Three major orchestras, the Cincinnati Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Royal Philharmonic of London, are scheduled for I.lX this season...
...Through extensive orchestra rebuilding, expert conducting, and inspired programming, this orchestra has taken its place among the major orchestras in the country...
...The Auditorium Theater Series presents six broadway musicals or plays...
...Serkin always electrifies audiences wherever he appears, and his performance here should prove to be an exciting evening of piano music...
...A listing of the names of world famous musicians, actors, orchestras, and singers who have appeared at the I.U...
...The ensuing debate over conscription has fused both outermost reaches of the political spectrum against the present system...
...So if one transcends vogueish criticisms fulminating against the draft, he will find its logic gauzy and its application unwarranted...
...Auditorium...
...Frank Octave Brunell LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear "Sirs": Its heartwarming to see the publication of a campus magazine with such sterling character as yours...
...George Nathan 4 VIEWS ON MUSIC (Continued from Page 4) recorded and are due to be re-released by CBS...
...We may define a dead spot as any area in the auditorium where the acoustics and quality of sound is noticeably and decidedly inferior...
...This moans that a person having a seat in one of these areas will be at a disadvantage for full appreciation of a performance...
...The armed forces have always afforded a splendid physical fitness program which might well be the last hope for a languorous America...
...Since opening in 1941, the auditorium has presented a dazzling array of orchestras, soloists, operas, plays, ballets and distinguished performers from every field of entertainment...
...According to one prominent musician — a conductor who has performed in the Auditorium — the dead spots are not only the worry of the prospective ticket buyer, but the performers as well...
...One could forgive a blocked view or the distant faces of the actors if one could hear all the lines, but to a person with a season book of tickets for this series, facing a year of muddled speech, indistinguishable dialogue and evanescent punch lines, this acoustical problem assumes disaster proportions...
...Another musician — a well know member of the School of Music faculty — indicated that this phenomenon has been observed and known for a considerable time...
...One might hope the draft could include physically defective creatures, but truly the system's beneficence would only dilate with the lowering of mental requirements still further (say, to include morons) and the expansion of conscription to females of average and below average intelligence (surely this will assure a plethora of laborers for menial tasks...
...From the preceding remarks, the reader might very well be interested and anxious to see one or several of the fine attractions offered at the I.U...
...However, BEWARE, there is danger in the Auditorium...
...The ludicrous thing is that good seats cost no more and are only out of reach due to ignorance of the situation...
...Measurements of sound intensity were made at different positions in the Auditorium — with the results indicating a considerable variability in sound intensity...
...The finest performers available in the major entertainment fields have appeared at Indiana...
...Members of such renowned groups as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra have stated that these spots can seriously hamper an orchestra's performance at Indiana...
...The 1967-1968 season appears to be an excellent one for the music enthusiast, with attractions grouped now in three different series — Auditorium Series, Theater Series, and Extra-Concert Series...
...When will frailty and indolence cause Americans to automate the reproductive process or emunctory exercises through the technological pioneering of General Electric...
...The draft is a positive good as it often insulates society from stupid people, and, at its best, even deports these dunderheads to countries of marginal civilization...
...who is washed and who is not...
...This hindrance may be minor, as in the case of a ballet or similar visual performance, or it may be accute, as in the case of a play or a soloist...
...These dead spots, generally speaking, include any seat which does not fall in the areas described above...
...The sound reproduction equipment is outdated (1953 vintage) and inadequate (two microphones, Altec Lansing amplifiers, and three speakers judiciously placed behind the upper curtain...
...Apparently, the rounded shape of the walls in conjunction with the extensively high ceiling create this effect...
...Once again the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is providing stirring performances and recordings, and it will be worthwhile to see this renowned organization...
...The following attractions are especially interesting for iriusic lovers.' Three world famous soloists come to Indiana this year: Henryk Szeryrig, Leontyne Price, and Rudolf Serkiri...
...Love, Bruce Wackowski (sic) Bruce — Thanks for the Polack joke...
...inferior sound reproduction...
...The next time I come in contact with your publication while passing a refuse recepticle I'll do exactly what your front page advocates and "drop it...
...The New York Times Magazine, September 27, 1964...
...In addition to these, there are the I.M.U...
...If the military approach rather than the peace corps approach guided our Vietnamese strategy, the war would sooner come under the purview of the historian, and the local draft boards might better go about their sancrosanct business of civilizing America...
...Auditorium has a subtle insufficiency...
...Good luck in your endeavor to save us all from Guy Loftman and self [ish] government...
...Militarily, politically and socially, then, it seems desirable to end the draft . . ." r —"Should We End the Draft...
...So what...
...Auditorium would be prohibitive...
...Pop Series, convocation lectures, arid various excellent School of Music events...
...Imagine sitting through a perfectly good play with witty lines and skillful actors, only to find that over half the dialogue was inaudible due to your seating location...
...One may logically ask, "Poor acoustics...
...A booklet accompanying the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Auditorium (available upon request), presents an excellent account of the Auditorium's history...
...Ironically, these same characteristics cause areas of excellent sound reproduction — the areas within fifteen seats from either side wall and twelve rows down from the rear wall under the balcony offer excellent acoustics...
...With all its fine architecture, flowing lines, impressive expanse, and large seating capacity, for the unaware the I.U...
...The death of Sir Thomas Beecham, October 3, 1967, at age 72, was a great loss to the orchestra and to the music world...
...Don't miss them...
...The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the oldest and best orchestras in London...
...LA TORTILLA At Kirkwood and Grant MEXICAN CUISINE • Tostados • Tacos • Enchillados • Tamales • Burritos • Chili • Roast Beef Sandwich Also Mexican Crafts For Sale 12...
...What this campus needs is a publication without regard to race, creed, color, and national origin which concerns itself with more pressing matters e.g...
Vol. 1 • October 1967 • No. 2
