COMPOSER: John Adams
GENRE: Foxtrot for Orchestra
PERFORMANCE: Saturday, January 14th, 2017 at Powell Hall with David Robertson conducting
I am a big John Adams fan, and was very engaged with the vivid representation of the scene of Chiang Ch'ing engaging the portrait of Mao, and dancing. Loved the winding-down sounds of the gramophone were neat.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Belshazzar's Feast
COMPOSER: William Walton
GENRE: choral
PERFORMANCE DATE: Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 at Powell Hall with John Relyea (bass), Sir Andrew Davis conducting, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus
This was an open performance rehearsal night, and the first symphony performance for my daughter, Emma (in a concert hall). That made this evening very special. At first, I was worried it would be a challenge for her to sit still and listen, but the story told in the work provided a lot of things for us to talk about: the biblical inspiration, the emotions portrayed by the singers giving us, as listeners to the story the opportunity to reflect on how the characters felt to be driven from their homeland, enslaved, and then delivered. Emma was very good at catching on. A massive work such as this, with a great choir and large orchestra cannot help but be powerful. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also very insightful to be there during a rehearsal, where, after an initial run through, I had the opportunity to hear the chorus director give feedback and request reworking some areas. Helped me to think more critically about a performance, seeing the work in action. Emma and I also brought along a book, The Beginner's Guide to the Symphony, which was a lot of fun to read through, and pick out the different instruments, learning very interesting facts. I learned so much that I didn't know about the brass and woodwind sections.
GENRE: choral
PERFORMANCE DATE: Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 at Powell Hall with John Relyea (bass), Sir Andrew Davis conducting, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus
This was an open performance rehearsal night, and the first symphony performance for my daughter, Emma (in a concert hall). That made this evening very special. At first, I was worried it would be a challenge for her to sit still and listen, but the story told in the work provided a lot of things for us to talk about: the biblical inspiration, the emotions portrayed by the singers giving us, as listeners to the story the opportunity to reflect on how the characters felt to be driven from their homeland, enslaved, and then delivered. Emma was very good at catching on. A massive work such as this, with a great choir and large orchestra cannot help but be powerful. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also very insightful to be there during a rehearsal, where, after an initial run through, I had the opportunity to hear the chorus director give feedback and request reworking some areas. Helped me to think more critically about a performance, seeing the work in action. Emma and I also brought along a book, The Beginner's Guide to the Symphony, which was a lot of fun to read through, and pick out the different instruments, learning very interesting facts. I learned so much that I didn't know about the brass and woodwind sections.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, "From the New World"
COMPOSER: Antonin Dvorak
GENRE: symphony
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with David Robertson conducting
A great piece, classic. I remember vividly my experience listening to this in Vienna in the fall of 2005. Can't remember if I have heard it live since then, until tonight. The English horn was beautiful.
GENRE: symphony
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with David Robertson conducting
A great piece, classic. I remember vividly my experience listening to this in Vienna in the fall of 2005. Can't remember if I have heard it live since then, until tonight. The English horn was beautiful.
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 by Korngold
COMPOSER: Erich Wolfgang Korngold
GENRE: violin concerto
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with Gil Shaham on violin and David Robertson conducting
To be honest, I enjoyed watching Mr. Shaham so much more than Mr. Bell (last fall). Both are undoubtedly skilled violinists, with incredible talent. But it wasn't about that for me. It was the experience Mr. Shaham created. He didn't just perform. He played, for me, and every one in the audience. It was engaging, interactive, as he played to you, stepping toward the audience, inviting us in, creating more than music, creating an experience. Every eye was attentively watching him as he drew us in to journey with him in this brilliant musical piece. I loved the music as well, the way it contained joy, brilliance, and technical skill. Thanks to Mr. Shaham, this is a performance I will cherish forever.
GENRE: violin concerto
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with Gil Shaham on violin and David Robertson conducting
To be honest, I enjoyed watching Mr. Shaham so much more than Mr. Bell (last fall). Both are undoubtedly skilled violinists, with incredible talent. But it wasn't about that for me. It was the experience Mr. Shaham created. He didn't just perform. He played, for me, and every one in the audience. It was engaging, interactive, as he played to you, stepping toward the audience, inviting us in, creating more than music, creating an experience. Every eye was attentively watching him as he drew us in to journey with him in this brilliant musical piece. I loved the music as well, the way it contained joy, brilliance, and technical skill. Thanks to Mr. Shaham, this is a performance I will cherish forever.
Bright Kingdoms, Kingdoms of Innocence
COMPOSER: Ingram Marshall
GENRE: orchestra and recorded sounds
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with David Robertson conducting
This piece was so moving to me. I absolutely loved how I connected with the use of the hen, "Abide with Me." It made the piece so special and personal for me as I listened. I was very much intrigued by the use of recorded sounds, and loved that it utilized a boys choir, reminds me of my time in Vienna. So many personal elements lined up with me and my life to make this piece memorable. I believe the composer was in attendance at this performance, and I was grateful to hear this creation of his.
GENRE: orchestra and recorded sounds
PERFORMANCE: Friday, March 21st at Powell Hall with David Robertson conducting
This piece was so moving to me. I absolutely loved how I connected with the use of the hen, "Abide with Me." It made the piece so special and personal for me as I listened. I was very much intrigued by the use of recorded sounds, and loved that it utilized a boys choir, reminds me of my time in Vienna. So many personal elements lined up with me and my life to make this piece memorable. I believe the composer was in attendance at this performance, and I was grateful to hear this creation of his.
Sibelius Violin Concerto
COMPOSER: Jean Sibelius
GENRE: vioiln concerto
PERFORMANCE: Saturday, November 30th, 2013 at Powell Hall with the St. Louis Symphony, conducted by David Robertson
My first attendance to Powell Hall. Love the antiquated style of the hall. Also, loved the performance by Mr. Bell.
GENRE: vioiln concerto
PERFORMANCE: Saturday, November 30th, 2013 at Powell Hall with the St. Louis Symphony, conducted by David Robertson
My first attendance to Powell Hall. Love the antiquated style of the hall. Also, loved the performance by Mr. Bell.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Planets, Op. 32
COMPOSER: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
GENRE: orchestral suite
PERFORMANCE: Friday, January 11th, 2013 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky
Can't believe this was the first time I heard The Planets all the way through. Loved it! And really unique setup in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, very large, and varying levels, angles of seating. So interesting that we automatically think of Holst whenever we hear mention of The Planets, yet he felt like it detracted from much of his other substantial pieces.
GENRE: orchestral suite
PERFORMANCE: Friday, January 11th, 2013 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky
Can't believe this was the first time I heard The Planets all the way through. Loved it! And really unique setup in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, very large, and varying levels, angles of seating. So interesting that we automatically think of Holst whenever we hear mention of The Planets, yet he felt like it detracted from much of his other substantial pieces.
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