At the Orchestra

[Xerxes]

In a change from the usual indoor concert hall setting, I'm going to the Verizon Ampitheatre tonight to see Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Ravel's Bolero- along with a basket full of wine cheese and crackers. I will review the performance (and the wine ) later tonight.

Does anyone here have any pleasant orchestra concert memories? Any virtuoso performances they particularly remember? Or Was it just a boring 2 hours?

[Bilbo Baggins]

I have not been to see an orchestra play, although i have watched them on the TV. Its very relaxing to watch and listen, and the skill of the musicians is often quite awe inspiring.

But your a lot more cultured than me, so you'll probably laugh at me.

[Kagnar]

Originally posted by Xerxes
Ravel's Bolero

I've heard that song so many times, performed by many different people. It's a good song!

[Mattress]

I've not been to any Orchestral performances, but cheese and wine sounds really good right about now.

[ShyShy]

actually there's good "Concert at the Park" type of deal where i'm at and i went to two this summer, while i wouldn't know the pieces they played, it was nice. just a good switch from the everyday happenings.

[Cylob]

There are no concert venues within 100 square miles of my house. I can always dream! I have but my classical CD's (and the wine and cheese).

[ujay]

Once went to an outdoor concert at Kenwood on Hampstead Heath, mainly orchestral favourites and quite a jolly affair. A very friendly crowd who were willing to pass around their champagne and smoked salmon sandwiches and happy to take a toke or two in exchange, a very pleasant evening as I remember.

One of the best venues has to be Canterbury Cathedral where you could sneak into the choir for free. You couldn't actually see the orchestra down in the nave, but the sound of the music swelling up through that magnificent building was truely thrilling, short hairs on the back of the neck stuff. Saw (heard) The Dream of Gerontius there, and of course this is the sort of place that Handel's Messiah was made for.

UJ

[MetallichicA]

Yes, we saw the National Symphony in D.C. a few years back. It was a family concert they were giving... we just happened to be there that day. Tix were $5 instead of the normal $30 for the worst seats. I won't go so far as to say the National Symphony is one of the best, but they're decent.

They played Stravinsky's Firebird Suite - oh, how I love that piece. Stravinsky is one of my favorite "modern" composers (I'm a big fan of abstract music, hence the crush on bands like Dream Theater).

Next was Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals. Now this is something I've loved since I was little. We had a record of this, and I listened to it all the time. My brother and I were sitting next to each other at the concert, and we were just cracking up when they played "Cuckoo in the heart of the woods". I know that sounds terrible, but it IS supposed to be a funny piece.

Then my favorite... Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. This is another of my favorite symphony pieces, and they played it almost perfectly. It's a beautiful piece on cd, but hearing it in concert just gave me chills. I sat with goosebumps on my arms and legs during the whole piece.

I think I've mentioned before that I have season tix to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also. Most looking forward to: Orff's Carmina Burana (with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Children's Choirs); Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (again!); Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (which I saw at the Peoria Symphony Orchestra in middle school); Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique (my parents are coming out for this one - it's on Halloween - how appropriate lol - this is probably my dad's favorite classical piece ever, and he just about went into shock when I told him I could get them tix for it); Handel's Water Music (I, II, and III); Strauss' Don Juan; and to top it all off, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (which sadly I cannot listen to anymore without thinking of Disney's Fantasia - damn corporate America).

Of course, none of this even compares with what I'll feel on April 3 - Itzhak Perlman is conducting. If we're lucky, he may play also, but I'm trying to not get my hopes up. I have always wanted to see him conduct or play in concert, and missed several chances. So you can imagine how I'll feel that day

[Mr_007]

I agree to Metallichica!

[Xerxes]

Originally posted by MetallichicA

I think I've mentioned before that I have season tix to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also...

Sounds a fantastic season.

I too keep season tickets...for the Pacific Symphony, which is Orange County's very own resident symphony. We have several great events coming up- One day will be Wagner's Die Walkure and Holst's Planets for a "Flight Themed" evening. There will be a four seasons performance, as well a Mozart Requiem Mass (Which had me in light tears the last time I saw it live)

In March Yo-Yo-Ma will be performing, which should truly prove to be spectacular.

The Grand Finale will be the one and only John Williams conducting the scores Schindler's list- June 4th of next year. I can hardly wait.

-

Symphony tickets have gone down in price dramatically as orchestras are dying for patrons. I am getting 10 performances for 200$ a season ticket, which is exceptional for the calibre of the performers. All of you out there who are curious about this sort of music should not be afraid to go and search out tickets- you might be surprised on how cheap they are.

[anubis2003]

I haven't been to any orchestra plays ever.

Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody huh? I listen to Bohemian Rhapsody all the time.

[MetallichicA]

Originally posted by Xerxes
Wagner's Die Walkure

SLSO is playing that too, but not for our section

and Holst's Planets

Nice All of them, I assume?

Mozart Requiem Mass

Lucky! I have never seen that live, but would love to. I'd have to bring several boxes of kleenex, myself lol.

In March Yo-Yo-Ma will be performing

*chica passes out* That's the thing... Itzhak Perlman is conducting, and we're hoping he'll play also, but it's not guaranteed.

The Grand Finale will be the one and only John Williams conducting the scores Schindler's list

We got to play the opening piece in orchestra. That's hard to do without getting choked up...

I am getting 10 performances for 200$ a season ticket

Awesome! We tried getting the cheapest tix for SLSO, $102 for 12 concerts, but they were sold out. The next step up was $290 for the 12. Painful, but worthwhile.


Forgot about another memorable concert... we visited my bro in Hawaii when I was seven, and got to see an outdoor concert... they played the 1812 Overture, complete with REAL cannons (using blanks, of course). I just sat there, enraptured

[Xerxes]

Originally posted by MetallichicA

Forgot about another memorable concert... we visited my bro in Hawaii when I was seven, and got to see an outdoor concert... they played the 1812 Overture, complete with REAL cannons (using blanks, of course). I just sat there, enraptured

You know, I have never managed to see that performed. Is it true that the cannons require a seperate "Artillery Conductor" apart from the main conductor?

[MetallichicA]

Originally posted by Xerxes
You know, I have never managed to see that performed. Is it true that the cannons require a seperate "Artillery Conductor" apart from the main conductor?

That's a good question, I honestly don't remember. I'll have to ask my parents if they noticed that.