What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)

[karlhenning]

Very nice, Sef!

[Sef]

How great!  Do let us know how it goes!  Is it perhaps a lecture-demonstration, with the orchestra playing something? 

--Bruce

I will report on it for sure. It's a closed workshop in the morning, then open to the public for a couple of hours in the afternoon. As I understand it there are a collection of various young Chicago Orchestra players pulled together to play with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra under Dudamel himself - pretty cool I'd say! They (the Chicago players) have been rehearsing for the last few weeks, and I believe that they are playing the final movement of Mahler 1 (which I saw Dudamel conduct a couple of years ago with the CSO), and the Candide Overture. Don't know whether it will be possible or not, but I'll be taking my camera just in case I can get a personal shot!

[Solitary Wanderer]

8.00pm Thursday 16th April, Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

APO Thursday 16th April

Conductor: Oleg Caetani
Cello: Torleif Thedéen

WEBERN: Six pieces Op. 6
HAYDN: Cello Concerto No 1 in C
Interval
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

Brahms took almost 30 years to write his first symphony, feeling he had to live up to the legacy of Beethoven. When it was finally performed, however, Brahms was acclaimed as his true successor and Oleg Caetani's interpretation of Brahms' music is authoritative and inspiring. One of Auckland's favourite visitors, Torleif Thedéen, returns to perform Haydn's first cello concerto, a piece full of joy and elegance.

First APO concert for the year.

[Sef]

How great!  Do let us know how it goes!  Is it perhaps a lecture-demonstration, with the orchestra playing something? 

--Bruce

Well it actually ended up being a concert. The closed workshop in the morning was very enjoyable by all accounts. My daughter compared Gustavo as a cross between her annoyingly enthusiastic music teacher and her "close attention to detail" Orchestra conductor. The afternoon had the 162 member orchestra perform Bernstein's Candide and the final movement of Mahler's first symphony. The Bernstein was played at a pace slightly faster than I have heard youth orchestras play it in the past, close to the CSO version I have on CD. Fairly precise (at least as far as a 162 player orchestra made up of 7 or 8 different organizations would allow) after one 40 minute rehearsal. The Mahler was a bit rough at the edges, but it was more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, and even managed to keep my 9 year old engaged in the audience. Gustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch), but he bounced around on the podium as energetically as ever. Certainly an experience not be missed. I have attached a photo - not the best I took, but one I could crop to remove identification of orchestra members. Can never be too careful.

[Brian]

Gustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch),

Indeed, when I saw him in Houston on the 3rd he spoke only in Spanish. I translated for my friends...

[Sef]

Indeed, when I saw him in Houston on the 3rd he spoke only in Spanish. I translated for my friends...

Then I guess he should be congratulated for even attempting to communicate with the audience in English.

[DavidRoss]

He spoke English reasonably well when profiled last year by 60 Minutes

[bhodges]

Well it actually ended up being a concert. The closed workshop in the morning was very enjoyable by all accounts. My daughter compared Gustavo as a cross between her annoyingly enthusiastic music teacher and her "close attention to detail" Orchestra conductor. The afternoon had the 162 member orchestra perform Bernstein's Candide and the final movement of Mahler's first symphony. The Bernstein was played at a pace slightly faster than I have heard youth orchestras play it in the past, close to the CSO version I have on CD. Fairly precise (at least as far as a 162 player orchestra made up of 7 or 8 different organizations would allow) after one 40 minute rehearsal. The Mahler was a bit rough at the edges, but it was more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, and even managed to keep my 9 year old engaged in the audience. Gustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch), but he bounced around on the podium as energetically as ever. Certainly an experience not be missed. I have attached a photo - not the best I took, but one I could crop to remove identification of orchestra members. Can never be too careful.

Thanks for that fine account, and I note (and agree with), "more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra."  One of the things Dudamel demonstrates is that, while technical perfection is certainly desirable and a worthwhile goal, it is not the sole criterion of a musically satisfying performance.  I think what he has accomplished--and is doing--with his Venezuelans is remarkable. 

--Bruce

[Sef]

Thanks for that fine account, and I note (and agree with), "more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra."  One of the things Dudamel demonstrates is that, while technical perfection is certainly desirable and a worthwhile goal, it is not the sole criterion of a musically satisfying performance.  I think what he has accomplished--and is doing--with his Venezuelans is remarkable. 

--Bruce

... and you know, it's impossible to give an accurate and objective account of any youth orchestra performance. There was a comment in a Chicago newspaper that said a professional orchestra would be proud of that performance at the weekend. I wouldn't go that far, especially since my local professional orchestra is the CSO, but since most peoples perception of a youth orchestra is teenagers sawing through some popular classics it stands to exaggerate was was most definitely a very good performance full of energy.

I would even hazard to guess that the vast majority of the public (excluding the good members of this forum of course) would be unable to determine that a particular performance was by a youth orchestra (well the good ones anyway). This is why I am looking forward to this CYSO concert as a prelude to their South American tour:

Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm   
Allen Tinkham, Conductor 
Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $15-$50, Children 7 and under free
For more information, call: 312-939-2207 x31
Works by Strauss, Higdon, Dvorak

.... and of course I take into consideration my bias as a proud parent of one current, one ex, and one future member!

[Florestan]

Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm   
Allen Tinkham, Conductor 
Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $15-$50, Children 7 and under free
For more information, call: 312-939-2207 x31
Works by Strauss, Higdon, Dvorak

You mean children under 7 are allowed in a concert hall?  Gosh, I hate that. Just imagine that right in the middle of an Adagio one or more of these fellows start crying, screaming or asking their parents stupid questions --- wittnessed that more than once and it's awful, awful, awful...

[Sef]

You mean children under 7 are allowed in a concert hall?  Gosh, I hate that. Just imagine that right in the middle of an Adagio one or more of these fellows start crying, screaming or asking their parents stupid questions --- wittnessed that more than once and it's awful, awful, awful...

This whole thread could get derailed if I start on this one...... but to keep it brief, yes, I've seen it happen too, though to be honest not at Orchestra Hall - maybe the families of talented performers have the right kind of 7 year olds -  But then again, I don't think I've been to a professional concert (ever) when I haven't been annoyed by adults whispering, fidgeting, coughing, kicking the back of my chair, conducting (yes!). All of that - in Orchestra Hall!

[Bunny]

Looking forward to May: Mahler's symphonies in order in Carnegie Hall, where he actually conducted!  Perhaps his ghost will join us.

[bhodges]

Looking forward to May: Mahler's symphonies in order in Carnegie Hall, where he actually conducted!  Perhaps his ghost will join us.

I am going to that cycle, too.  It should be a fascinating experience. 

But tonight at Carnegie, yes, it's the:

YouTube Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, Artistic Advisor and Conductor
Mason Bates, Composer and DJ
Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano
Joshua Roman, Cello
Gil Shaham, Violin
Yuja Wang, Piano
Students from Lang Lang's International FoundationAnna Larsen, Piano
Charlie Liu, Piano
Derek Wang, Piano

The YouTube Symphony Orchestra's show features soloists, chamber groups, chamber orchestra, large orchestra, electronica and multi-media, and samples diverse periods and styles of classical music, including works by Gabrieli, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Villa-Lobos, John Cage and Tan Dun's Internet Symphony No. 1 "Eroica." 

--Bruce

[Florestan]

But then again, I don't think I've been to a professional concert (ever) when I haven't been annoyed by adults whispering, fidgeting, coughing, kicking the back of my chair, conducting (yes!). All of that - in Orchestra Hall!

That happened to me as well, not always in concert halls but always in the opera house.

Once I was attending Le Nozze di Figaro sitting on the edge seat of a row when, after 15 minutes into it, all of a sudden a kid appeared near me and started "screaming in whisper" or "whispering in scream" to someone seated in the middle of the row: "Papa, papa, give me the car keys, mom's just arrived!". And the keys were passed from hand to hand to the kid who took them and disappeared in the dark.

[hildegard]

Smetana's Má Vlast

April 30th, Bohemian National Hall, NYC

"The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra under the direction of Maurice Peress presents a rare performance of Bedrich Smetana's Má Vlast (My Country).

"Smetana, 'the father of Czechish music,' set out to create a body of works that celebrated the natural landscapes, history, native language, as well as the folk legends of Bohemia and Moravia and the people's struggle for independence. In 1874, just as he was becoming deaf, Smetana began work on what would become a monumental cycle of six symphonic poems; Vyšehrad  Vltava, Šárka, Z ceských luhu a háju (From Bohemian Woods and Groves), Tábor and Blaník.  Heard as a whole for the first time in 1882, Má Vlast was immediately acclaimed by the native musical public as representative of Czech National style. Smetana dedicated the cycle to the city of Prague where Maestro Peress had the honor of conducting the work with the Brno Orchestra." dvoraknyc.org


karadar.com

[vandermolen]

Moeran's Symphony: Proms 2009
Miaskovsky Symphony No 6: (Festival Hall, London, 2010)

[bhodges]

This Friday at Carnegie Hall, and I don't think I've ever seen this piece done by such a huge group of people!

Terry Riley: In C 

"Specially curated by the Kronos Quartet for the 45th anniversary of the premiere of In C, a one-time-only gathering of musicians will perform the work in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage for the first time.

"Featuring Kronos, Terry Riley, and original In C performers Stuart Dempster, Jon Gibson, Katrina Krimsky, and Morton Subotnick. 

"Plus Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan, Sidney Chen, Dennis Russell Davies, Loren Kiyoshi Dempster, Bryce Dessner, Dave Douglas, Trevor Dunn, Jacob Garchik, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Harrison, Michael Hearst, Scott Johnson, Joan La Barbara, Saskia Lane, Alfred Shabda Owens, Elena Moon Park, Lenny Pickett, Gyan Riley, Aaron Shaw, Judith Sherman, Mark Stewart, Kathleen Supové, Margaret Leng Tan, Jeanne Velonis, Wu Man, Yang Yi, Dan Zanes, and Evan Ziporyn. 

"Also with Koto Vortex, Quartet New Generation, So Percussion, members of the GVSU New Music Ensemble, and members of the Young People's Chorus of New York City."

--Bruce

[secondwind]

This Friday, the Chicago Chamber Musicians at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Virginia:

Trio in B-flat Major, D. 471, Schubert
Horn Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 407, Mozart
Octet in F Major, Op. 166 D. 803, Schubert

Especially the Octet!

[Brian]

members of the GVSU New Music Ensemble,

Their Reich CD of the Music for 18 Musicians is nothing short of heroic.

[bhodges]

Their Reich CD of the Music for 18 Musicians is nothing short of heroic.

I *still* have not heard this, and would like to!  Everyone seems to love it, and since I do like the piece...

Saturday night, very much looking forward to this concert, especially the Grisey.

Ensemble ACJW
Matthias Pintscher, Conductor
Katherine Whyte, Soprano
Cecelia Hall, Mezzo-Soprano

Webern: Six Pieces, Op. 6 
Ravel: Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé 
Grisey: Partiels  
Berg (arr. de Leeuw): Seven Early Songs 
Pintscher: Choc (Monumento IV)

--Bruce