Last night I went to a "Side-by-Side" concert at the new-ish Covey Center for the Arts with the Utah Valley Symphony. They played some of my favorite pieces: Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantastia, Bach's Brandenburg #4, and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (might I suggest listening to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th movement, which, while not as famous as the first, are really really great). I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Utah Valley Symphony actually played.
Until, however, the "side-by-side" part of the concert began. Side by side = really awful youth symphony playing along with the fairly decent Utah Valley Symphony. Somehow I managed to still enjoy myself through the appallingly out of tune cellos, the viola soloist who never came in on time, a cellist who kept hitting her bracelet against her cello, creating a lovely clank every time she moved her hand, and the violinists who never quite reached their high notes. And that combined with their inability to ever come in on time (while the adult symphony actually followed the conductor) made for an interesting performance.
Somehow I still really enjoyed myself...maybe it's been too long since I last attended a musical event, but I found the whole situation to be rather endearing. AND the audience was probably the best one I've ever been part of in Utah- they didn't clap at the wrong time even once! AND lots of old ladies were wearing their ball gowns. AND I really love how Beethoven ends his 5th symphony about 9 times...just when you think it's over, he surprises you with a few more measures. Just go listen to it.
Oh, and thanks, KBYU for the free tickets (go here to try and win some for yourself).
2 comments:
YAY for KBYU!
And huzzah for a decent audience in Utah Valley. I still can't get over the last time I went to the symphony. A couple sitting in the middle of a row, in the middle of Abravanel Hall stood up during the last movement of the last piece to get towards the door. No doubt this couple was trying to beat the rush towards the door - but the symphony is not a baseball game! These people were practically clambering over the seated patrons, and you could almost hear their whispers, "Excuse me...sorry...pardon me." It was awful - especially since the rest of the audience was trying to listen and see the orchestra sans distraction. I was appalled.
I like the 2nd movement of the Fifth Symphony as well.
How nice the peeps didn't clap at the wrong times! When we go to the NSO at the Kennedy Center there are usually a few who didn't get the memo that you don't clap in between movements. Was there a standing ovation? I used to think that giving out standing ovations right and left was a Utah thing (especially at BYU) but now I'm thinking it's more of a generalized American thing. The most uncomfortable is when there's some famous musician flown in especially for that particular night's concerto and half the audience gives a standing ovation and the other half doesn't. I almost feel bad enough to stand, but then I remember no, it wasn't that good.
It is funny (and sometimes annoying) that out here people wait to cough/sneeze/explode until the movement is over. Reminds me a lot of going to performances in London. The only problem is that while it's nice to not hack your lung out during the music, it REALLY ruins the mood and feeling when a beautiful piece ends and while the conductor's hands are still suspended in air and the last notes are dissipating, the hacking begins.
M: my goodness! I never get why beating traffic is more important to people than basic decency and considerate behavior. Also, why it's more important than the music or the prayer, or whatever they're walking out on.
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