As the saying goes, ‘time to face the music’

“Life is short, art is long.” The previous sentence is an example of an aphorism, one of those short pithy sayings that often get repeated. And if art is indeed long, then Sunday afternoon’s concert by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono really felt like art. In what seemed like an interminable stretch of time, while the orchestra and soloists lurched through two of three featured German pieces, I had ample opportunity to get pithy and reflect on a few additional aphorisms which seemed to shed light on the afternoon’s performance.

“A good beginning is a good ending.” Unfortunately, the first offering – the overture to Carl Maria von Weber’s opera, “The Huntsman” – began tentatively. Even the BSO strings, which usually ooze with confidence, sounded uncertain at the start of this piece. Perhaps if Director Xiao-Lu Li had opened the program with the national anthem or even the German national anthem in light of the programmatic theme, the orchestra would have had an opportunity to warm up before tackling this energetic overture.

“Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” The Triple Concerto, op. 56 in C Major of Ludwig van Beethoven is a rarity in live performance. Even in Beethoven’s lifetime, this piece was performed but three times. Its absence in the familiar repertoire is not simply an oversight. This piece is tricky to play, and even when performed to perfection, it can lack a sense of cohesion.

“Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you.” Although cellist Noreen Silver and pianist Phillip Silver are capable of performances approaching perfection, this was not one of their better efforts. For whatever reasons, they and violinist Trond Saeverud failed to sustain a consistent technical level. Every time the audience could begin to lose itself in the music, some error would intrude. A sloppily played passage or an error in intonation can damage musical credibility. This just wasn’t their day.

“Even more important than a friendly meeting is a friendly parting.” After the intermission, BSO President James Goff and Executive Director Susan Jonason presented departing principal bassoonist Kim Mumme with a commemorative plaque. Mumme, who has been involved with the BSO for more than 41 years, was honored with cheers and a standing ovation.

“The number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.” The BSO came back from intermission revived and reinvigorated, at least in most part. While the orchestra delivered the most satisfying performance of the evening, a melodic and powerful interpretation of Symphony no. 1, op. 68 in C minor by Johannes Brahms, one of its musicians, who admittedly had a somewhat limited part to play, was clearly seen to be falling asleep on stage in full view of the audience. What more can I say? “Let sleeping dogs lie.”

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Despite this particular lackluster performance, I believe this venerable community orchestra has the ability to excel and the musical heart to use that ability. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra will appear with the Robinson Ballet in performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet, Dec. 3-4. Their next regular concert featuring Saint-Saens and Strauss will be held Feb. 22. For more information call (800) 639-3221 or go to the BSO Web site at www.bangorsymphony.com.

“A good friend will always stab you in the front.” Helen York may be reached for comment at heyork@hotmail.com.