What concert did you attend in 2018?
Posted by: kuma on 01 January 2018
Starting a new thread for the new year!~
So did anyone go to the New Year's Concert in Vienna?
Nick Mason - A Saucerful of Secrets - Manchester Apollo. The sound was superb and I was blown away by the whole experience. Fantastic.
To the Purcell Room at London's SouthBank Centre to see the acclaimed US-born but London resident drummer/percussionist/composer Sarathy Korwar (who has a new triple vinyl album out in November). He was accompanied by an electric/acoustic bass player, a sax player, a keyboards/sax man and a rapper guy.
Some fierce and propulsive drumming, but for me the highlight came when Korwar switched to tablas (he is classically trained). Splendid sound, as always, at the SBC.
Bert Schurink posted:Bert Schurink posted:Looking forward to see the guys of GoGo Penguin. Saw them last this summer on North Sea Jazz, it was quite an experience. This evening close to my home...
The concert was great. You almost get in a trance on their music. And I was also pleased to see that Tord Gustavsen will play in the same venue in January....
Now with a picture and a video...
I was lucky enough to bag a good seat return on Sunday evening for Tuesday’s performance of Gotterdammerung at the Royal Opera, well worth the trip for Nina Stemme’s Brunnhilde alone. I don’t think I have ever heard such a loud (standing) ovation as hers when she came out at the end.
The rest of the cast was also very good, in particular Stephen Milling as Hagan and Lise Davidsen as 3rd Norn. The production was not too mad and apart from a few mistakes from the brass (which I have found almost inevitable in this opera) the orchestra was on fire.
I sat next to someone who had managed to get returns for the previous three operas in this cycle, so with two more Ring cycles to go, if anyone is interested it is well worth checking the ROH web site regularly.
Morton posted:I was lucky enough to bag a good seat return on Sunday evening for Tuesday’s performance of Gotterdammerung at the Royal Opera, well worth the trip for Nina Stemme’s Brunnhilde alone. I don’t think I have ever heard such a loud (standing) ovation as hers when she came out at the end.
Nice Morton! I am envious! I'll be attending her Chicago debut next year at Lyric Opera. No Brunnhilde, she'll be Elektra!
kuma posted:Morton posted:I was lucky enough to bag a good seat return on Sunday evening for Tuesday’s performance of Gotterdammerung at the Royal Opera, well worth the trip for Nina Stemme’s Brunnhilde alone. I don’t think I have ever heard such a loud (standing) ovation as hers when she came out at the end.
Nice Morton! I am envious! I'll be attending her Chicago debut next year at Lyric Opera. No Brunnhilde, she'll be Elektra!
Well that will be exciting, I would think she will be an ideal Elektra, not only vocally but also because she is also a fine actress, I’m sure she will enjoy wading in the blood!
Mahler Symphony No.3
Andrés Orozco-Estrada: conductor
Kelley O'Connor: mezzo-soprano
I've seen this young conductor last season and liked his energy and rhythmic ability. I was curious to hear this difficult Mahler's 3rd.
1st movement opened with terrific urgency and energy expect from the score and he handled the orchestra with exhilarating speed and timing. However, what he still lacking was the slower movement where more bloom and longer breathing space for the notes would have developed richer harmonic colours and atmosphere. His orchestra direction kind of reminded me of the Linn's house sound. ( spot on timing and excitement ). What I was missing was more of ARO/Naim-ness in 2-3-4th movement. So outer movements were great but inner 3 I felt that they lacked nuances and intimacy. He could have drown more out of each change of scores as after a while they started to sound a tad monotonous. Rhythm alone can't carry a vast Mahler program after all.
Alto soprano Kelley O'connor was good tho. Beautiful tone and great control. Can't say she was emotional as Dame Sarah Connoly, however.
Morton posted:kuma posted:Morton posted:I was lucky enough to bag a good seat return on Sunday evening for Tuesday’s performance of Gotterdammerung at the Royal Opera, well worth the trip for Nina Stemme’s Brunnhilde alone. I don’t think I have ever heard such a loud (standing) ovation as hers when she came out at the end.
Nice Morton! I am envious! I'll be attending her Chicago debut next year at Lyric Opera. No Brunnhilde, she'll be Elektra!
Well that will be exciting, I would think she will be an ideal Elektra, not only vocally but also because she is also a fine actress, I’m sure she will enjoy wading in the blood!
I can't wait! it's my first Lyric Opera!
Tomorrow night. First visit to Brighton Dome since we moved to East Sussex. Old Young Bob is always reliable entertainment..
Ry Cooder brought out all the fans who were with him since the early days in Dublin last night. Continuing in the vain of his latest album, mainly a musical history masterclass.
.sjb
Marin Alsop/CSO
Daniil Trifonov
PROGRAM
Mantovani Threnos [World Premiere, CSO Commission] Dadicated to Marin Alsop
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3
Bridge Lament
Copland Symphony No. 3
Program reflected of the Centennial of WW1 Armistice in Oct/Nov.
Opened with revetting Mantovani's new score depicting horrors and pain of war. As you'd guess typical of contemporary *classical* scores filled with atonal dissonant sounds peppered with many percussive accents to simulate guns and bombs. The duration it reminded me of uncertainty and miserable trench warfare which seemed go on forever. Solo violin in 2nd movement is equally horrific similar to watching shell shocked soldier's hysterical gait and tic'd facial expression. I think that the composer made the point of horror of war but I wish there was a bit more of poignant silence and twist like the ending of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (Lewis Milestone,1930) rather than finishing off with expected loud finale. This would have given the score stronger impression.
Trifonov cancelled last season but glad he made it to Chicago this year. I thought he was going to play some Rachmaninof in keeping with his new LP release on DG but PC was just as much of a crowd pleaser. Alsop was very attentive to the pianist often glancing at him to make sure the band is in sinc with the pianist. Trifonov played with his usual grace and poise perhaps lacked a bit of muscle as if he was pulling back a bit. Nonetheless, no misplayed note! Bummer he did not play us any encore, tho.
3rd program was a short piece by Bridge. Portrayal and feeling of the composer in the outbreak of the WW1 in UK.
The concert finished with Copland's Symphony 3. It was very nice since this piece does not get played often. Alsop lacked a bit of sweetness and perhaps a certain American optimism but Fanfare movement was majestic and inspiring. There's definitely Lenny DNA showing. CSO brass was just tremendous giving warm beautiful sheen and glow.