What was the last concert you went in 2015?

We saw Joan Armatrading at the Chichester Festival Theatre last Friday. It was a solo concert, and she was absolutely wonderful.  I'd never realised how good a guitarist she is, and though sh's 64 her voice is undiminished. She only played for 70 minutes though, which was a shame as she has done so many great songs. 

Ooh. I'm envious, HH.  Saw her very many years ago at the Hammersmith Odeon and would love to see her again. Must confess I didn't know she was still touring.

Mike

We saw Opeth at Stockholm concert house in October.

/Mike

the Last Concert we went in 2015 

Just back from seeing a tribute group "Voodoo Room", you will not be surprised that as their name suggests  Cream and Hendrix songs, very good they are too

While I have this week two interesting concerts ahead Murray Perahia (Beethoven Piano Concertos) and Daniel Hope (Vivaldi and Max Richter Vivaldi recomposed). I have just booked something very strange. For the next year I have a concert booked with Dream Theater in the same concert hall I will go for Daniel Hope. The funny thing is that the band has booked for the whole tour concert halls. So this must be something exciting they are coming out with. Can't wait to hear it...

So had this evening my Murray Perahia concert. Was great with the Beethoven Piano Concertos Nr. 1 and 3. I could have gone to all concertos as they are this week p,Ayer by him, but I found it a too high effort to drive 3 times to Munich.

a bit strange was that he didn't play an encore. Photos will be posted tomorrow.

Now pictures

wow nice!

Perahia conducting and playing Mozart must be a nice treat.

I would have loved to hear Perahia does beethoven PC1. ( it's one of my fave with Haitink )

Which orchestra is this?

I am glad that he can still play difficult pieces like that after his illness.

kuma posted:

wow nice!

Perahia conducting and playing Mozart must be a nice treat.

I would have loved to hear Perahia does beethoven PC1. ( it's one of my fave with Haitink )

Which orchestra is this?

I am glad that he can still play difficult pieces like that after his illness.

Hi Kuma, the concerts are from Beethoven 1 and 3, and the ensemble is Academy of St Martin in the Field.

it was indeed a treat, while I will not go to the other concerts Beethoven 2 and 4 and in last concert on Sunday the 5th.

Just on the way home from seeing Giant Sand in St. Gallen. 

Small intimate venue. What a great gig...Howe Gelb was really on form. Started off solo on an upright piano and went from blues to ragtime to honkey tonk - with the rest of the band joining him the tempo picked up. Classic Americana at its best. 

To top the great musicianship and downright groove the sound quality was absolutely amazing. And seeing as this is a hifi  forum I've got to say if I could get anywhere near that sound I would never go out - long live the imperfections in audio reproduction long live live music!

Sten

ps I still love my naim though 

This evening a great concert with Daniel Hope. Starting off with the normal four seasons and after the break the four seasons re-composed by Max Richter. For those who still have the option - do make sure you visit this concert. And it's also played in a good order. Encores - further Vivaldi concert, Bach Air, lullaby...

Looks like he's only touring NY and GA in the US next year. But busy schedule in Germany. 

I've got his records but have not had a chance to listen. ( I have to admit I am not too motivated to listen to Four Seasons often. ) This is a kind of thing I probably enjoy live than listening to a recorded music.

kuma posted:

Looks like he's only touring NY and GA in the US next year. But busy schedule in Germany. 

I've got his records but have not had a chance to listen. ( I have to admit I am not too motivated to listen to Four Seasons often. ) This is a kind of thing I probably enjoy live than listening to a recorded music.

It's indeed best enjoyed in concert. The re-composed version is also a revelation in his hands. His playing was very delicate this evening.

Muti/CSO

Kirill Gerstein:  piano

Program:
Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 (Classical)
Scriabin Prometheus Prometheus Op,60
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven Symphony No. 8

Here’s an eclectic program from the concert yesterday.

Whimsical and light hearted Prokofiev’s Classical Concerto was even handed if not lacking a bit in humor and for the most part Muti kept a fast pacing.

Back in 1921, Prokofiev himself premiered the piece at the Orchestra hall.

He seems to be more comfortable with serious program like Coriolan Overture or his favourite dark Scriabin tunes which the music was delivered with a startling dynamic and imposing weighty presence. The band was absolutely together for the whole time for a sudden stops and quick turns. The tune involved a solo pianist (Kirill Gerstein ) and lyrics-less full-on chorus which occupied the back terrace at the finale ( sort of like Debussy’s Daphnis et Chloé at the end ). Muti lavished the production for such a short tune lasting only about 20 min.

Incidentally Scriabin’s Prometheus Op,60 was chosen as a tribute to their CSO US premier which was performed back in 1915 Frederick Stock conducting. ( the name obscure as Henry Wood ) :/

I enjoyed Muti’s 8^th even tho it could have been wittier but I have noticed unusually Muti was relaxed and smiling! the musicians were having a great time with this as I can clearly see eye contact and smiling faces particularly on violin sections. This kind of rapport between the conductor and the musicians never happened with the rat-eyed Rainer from what I read and seen.

Last night I attended the North Carolina Symphony's performance at Meymandi Concert Hall.

A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS
FRI/SAT, DEC 4-5, 2015 | 8PM
Paul Agnew, conductor
Dovid Friedlander, violin
Elizabeth Phelps Baron, violin
Anne Whaley Laney, flute
Mary E. Boone, flute
North Carolina Master Chorale

Bach: Shout, rejoice!
Bach: Rejoice in us
Handel: For unto us a Child is born
Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major
Bach: How fitly we greet Him
Handel: Awake the trumpet's lofty sound
Handel: Lift up your heads
Handel: Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Berlioz: Shepherds Farewell from L'Enfance du Christ
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
Bach: Newborn infant Child
Handel: Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah

Went to take in some holiday music and didn't really look at the program before attending.  The performance was much better than I anticipated.  The Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, was performed by Elizabeth Phelps Baron, Anne Whaley Laney, and Mary E. Boone.  Along with a small orchestral accompaniment.  My friend plays the flute, so she was very happy to see them in the trio.  

Venue was the Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh, NC, USA.  It seats 1700.  

Really a splendid evening.  

I usually stay away from any Holiday programming but this year I am going to give a shot on Händel's Messiah uncut. 

All Sibelius concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall last night

En Saga, Violin Concerto, Karelia Suite & Symphony No. 7

Helsinki Phil. conducted by John Storgards.

An interesting note in the programme, Sibelius apparently sketched the slow movement of the concerto during a ‘painful 3 day hangover’, the man did like his booze!

Anyway, it was very well played by Christel Lee, winner of the 2015 international Sibelius completion.

Morton posted:

All Sibelius concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall last night

En Saga, Violin Concerto, Karelia Suite & Symphony No. 7

Helsinki Phil. conducted by John Storgards.

Good concert. I heard the Radio Three broadcast.

Best wishes from George

Geroge,

I did wonder if you would be listening in, I didn’t know that it was going to be broadcast until we got there and saw the announcer.

They also played ‘Scene with Swans’, op44 no 2 as an encore, I’m not sure if this was broadcast though.

Morton

Sadly not! The Radio Schedule!

Good concert though. I love the Sibelius Violin Concerto very much and enjoyed the whole of what we were given!

ATB from George

Morton,

Very nice program. 

I rememer my very first Sibelius concert was a CSO premier of Andante Festivo with Leif Segerstam conducting. Like the 'Scene with Crain' it's a short but very sweet number.

Kuma,

Unfortunately the link does not want to work me, but I have found the piece on Spotify. It is new to me & as you say, very nice.

I am quite a fan of Sibelius, we are back at Symphony Hall on Jan 10^th when the complete Lemminkäinen Suite, will be part of the programme.

Morton

Maria Joao Pires and London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding.  Mozart Piano Concerto No 9 and Bruckner 4. Great playing by all but the first horn and trumpet.  Next week, same again playing Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 and Bruckner 9. The Mozart Orchestra was far too large.  Six desks of each violins and not particularly agile. 

Morton posted:

I am quite a fan of Sibelius, we are back at Symphony Hall on Jan 10^th when the complete Lemminkäinen Suite, will be part of the programme.

Morton,

That sounds like a great program. Who will be conducting? The same orchestra?

I am still learning Sibelius' library small chunks at a time.