Were you at the concert Saturday night? The audience response was quite gratifying – and it seemed that everyone had a great experience at the concert. Write your own review of the concert – either write a comment below, or email me via the Contact NobleViola link above, and I’ll quote them on this post. Ok, let ‘er rip! (And OSO musicians, you may offer your thoughts as well).
3 replies on “write your own concert review!”
Wow!
great concert.
nyc won’t know what hit ’em.
among many glorious moments, here are a few faves:
1/ the super-stud bass drum crescendi @ the end of the Britten first movement.
2/ your new timpani player is excellent – solid pitch definition with wonderful depth.
3/ superb trumpet solos.
4/ jun’s high wire passage work in the adams was ravishing – has he ever played szymanowski’s first concerto? he’d be perfect for that glowing work.
5/ one gal had on a terrific pair of FM shoes.
one of the evening’s few problems for me was carlos’ choice to run the first three pieces together. while i think i understand his intentions, i personally believe each work should be allowed to more conclusively breathe its final frame of silence. i had this same objection when kalmar connected the end of ligeti’s “atmospheres” to the beginning of “lohengrin” a few seasons back. i can tell you with 100% certainty that ligeti would NOT have appreciated such a segue.
however, i DO like the idea of not necessarily applauding after each piece. generally speaking, i find applause disruptive – but, yes, i do realize that it is an important part of western concert ritual.
so, minor quibbles aside, lemme say it again, WOW. you folks are the real deal.
Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about the no-applause thing in the first half. But now that I’ve heard it, I totally get it. The continuity made a huge impact. (In fact, I did not want to leave my seat for intermission — I just wanted to go right on with the Vaughan Williams.)
I wish, like Bob, I had noticed the shoes. Instead, I saw a lot of focus, determination and grit from the musicians on stage. The 2nd movement of the Britten knocked my socks off, and was probably the most memorable part of the concert for me. The finale of the Vaughan Williams was stunning, too.
Bravo to everyone involved. (It was fun, after seeing your practice video, watching you saw away at that piece.) 🙂
PS
regarding works with a “war theme,” allow me to recommend roy harris’ 6th symphony, “gettysburg.”
there is a recording available with pdx’s very own keith clark conducting on the albany label. this work truly deserves a wider audience.
d-bob sez, check it out.