There’s always a reason I’m up this late. Tonight, it’s equal parts Mahler 1 and Beethoven 7.
It’s been an eventful week, both playing and listening. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing the SLSO’s first concert of the season. I have to say, without reservation, that it was one of the finest concerts that I’ve seen there. They opened with Golijov’s ‘Azul’, which was a totally incredible piece of music. Part neo-Romantic, part post-minimalism, ‘Azul’ was a beautiful arrangement of sounds, colors, and ideas. I thought the hyper-accordion added a lot to the piece, as did the percussion. And the cello was unspeakably good.
And Mahler 5… what can anyone even say about it? Susan Slaughter totally nailed it (and my musical mind immediately makes the connection between her nailing her part, and nailing a coffin because the first movement was a funeral march… sorry… NOT FUNNY!) But seriously, it’s an unbelievable symphony, and the SLSO offered one of the most intelligent and inspired performances I’ve heard of it.
I feel like Matt said what needed to be said about the Webster Symphony Orchestra. Playing with them is going to be a pleasure.
Concert forecast: Tonight I’m driving to Columbia to see Grizzly Bear. This weekend, SLSO is doing a great program, which I will paste from their website instead of rewriting it (because I’m lazy):
COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2
HARRIS Symphony No. 3
JANÁČEK Sinfonietta
Also, the Wind Ensemble concert is on Monday. It should be pretty cool, so check it out if you have a chance. That’s about all I know at 2:30 a.m.
- Adam
P.S. Derick Tramel got me hooked on the T.V. show Dexter. I hate T.V. and never watch it (except for Lost), but I’ve gone through these DVDs pretty quickly. I have to say, the show is really exciting. Check it out if you have hours and hours to waste (I don’t, but somehow I’m making the time this week). I started Season 1 earlier this week, and I’m now almost through Season 3. Reading that, I’m embarrassed. Goodnight.
