Our friends had tickets to the National Symphony Orchestra's performance at the Kennedy Center last night. Quite unfortunately, their little boy was sick and they couldn't make it. Quite fortunately, they offered their tickets to us. We even used their babysitting arrangements for the evening.I met Clinton at the Kennedy Center just in time to scoot into our seats before they closed the doors and opened the evening with a Stravinsky Ballet in 3 deals. It was a good opening and I quite enjoyed it. A "nice" Stravinsky, I would say. Stravinsky is like Van Gogh: some of his work is very beautiful, some aggressive, some angry. All emotional and powerful; but not all "nice".
Following Stravinsky was a modern piece in one movement by an American named Crumb. I'd never heard of him before. It featured more than 50 percussion instruments, including Bass bows accross a cymbal (but no bass.) The lady at the piano was reaching into the cabinet to affect some sounds. All in all it was a fascinating edge-of-your seat selection. Really quite interesting and I'd say I liked it very much.
I was enjoying the architecture as well as the music; but after intermission the architecture fled my conscious thought as I was wrapped up in Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No. 3. I have a recording of the first movement, and I listen to it and love it. Like my Monet, though, there is a difference between a recording and a live symphony.No matter how good your stereo is, no recording can capture the concert hall, the bows moving in unison, the dress, the audience, the lights. No recording can fully appreciate the soloist at the Steinway dancing over the keys with intensity, familiarity, making it look almost easy and quite natural.
I was impressed with the sheer amount of talent, discipline, dedication, genius, and professionalism gathered onto that stage. Ilan Volkov conducted - long woolly hair, no tie, and beautifully graceful leading. The pianist, Leif Ove Andsnes, was amazing. He played with very little pause for 45 minutes. The orchestra was phenomenal. I really liked the bits when the piano was moving along with just one other instrument... the flute or the french horn. I loved the full swells of orchestra. I love Rachmaninoff. I am not well-versed in the right language to describe it, and since this isn't a concert report for my band class, I'll quit there.Words are no good descriptor of music, anyway.
It was one of those "you had to be there" nights.
3 comments:
SO jealous!! Glad you got to go.
Mindy, even though it "isn't a concert report for my band class" I'd have to give you an A. (I'll forgive the use of the word "deal" instead of "movement.")
I love Rachmaninoff also, and Monet. You're right about Stravinsky's music, although not all of it is "nice," I have liked it all in its own way. A couple of nights ago on PBS they had his opera, "The Nightingale." I was enthralled, even though my wife left the room mimicking the soprano's chromatic, high-register melisma.
Your mother keeps us informed as to your life in the big city. My daughter, Adele, will most likely be living there starting in the fall.
Keep up the music appreciation.
The old band director, Mr. P.
Hey everybody - I got an A!
Actually, the program notes called it three deals and not three movements. I thought it was funny and so included it.
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