Diane and I attended the “Gala” season opener for the BPO. Their guest stars were Gil Shaham and his lovely wife, Adele Anthony. Shaham started the concert by playing Sarasate’s “Carmen Fantasy” from his latest CD. Then Shaham and his wife played Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins.” Conductor JoAnn Falletta devoted the second half of the program to that war horse, Beethoven’s “Symphony #9.” Clearly, the attempt to win more subscribers to the BPO dictated the music selections. But Diane and I enjoyed the music and hope to attend more BPO concerts as circumstances allow.
I am not that adventurous in my musical preferences so it sounds like a fabulous season debut to me.
The “Gala” concert was a big success with the sell-out audience, Patti. I preferred the first half with Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony over the bombastic Beethoven.
Must have been an enjoyable concert. Many orchestras are including more warhorses in their programming to keep and draw audience. I’m of two minds about that: they are warhorses because they are known and loved, so what’s wrong with hearing them live in the concert hall? Then again, these (relatively) few works drive out other worthy pieces, not just newer, 20th Century works, but things by composers of all eras that are not so often heard, things which the concert-going public, many knowledgeable, many not, would enjoy if they had an opportunity to hear.
I’ve heard Beethoven’s “Symphony #9” live about a dozen times, Rick. I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve heard it on records and CDs and radio concerts over the years. Maybe 100. So I would prefer something less familiar. But I understand the strategy of programming these war horses for the casual classical concert goers.
Speaking of warhorses, the Indianapolis Symphony is playing Shostakovitch Festive Overture, Chopin Concerto 2 (Ohlsson), and Tchaikovsky 5 on Bouchercon weekend. It’s 2 blocks from the hotel. Up for it?
Sure, Art! I’ll call you and we can set it up.