Close your eyes
Do you ever listen to music? Listening while doing something else doesn't count; I'm talking about sitting down in a quiet room, and having your primary focus be on the sounds entering your ears.
For most people music is just a pleasant background, something to keep the stress of traffic or work at a minimum, something to occupy your consciousness while you work out or do your ironing. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that, either — in many cases popular music is greatly improved by careless listening. But so often we miss out on the nuance and subtlties of composition and performance through our lack of concentration.
Several weeks ago I attended the New World Symphony for a concert which included fan favorites Rhapsody in Blue and Bolero. It was a terrific concert, and not just because Matt comped me the tickets. (Thanks again, Matt!) Prior to the concert I was joking that for an ex-music composition major the program was a bit light, but still good, enjoyable selections.
And as in the old adage, be careful what you wish for. I don't know if this was at Matt's suggestion, but the NWS communications director just comped me tickets for Saturday night program, which is about as far from Gershwin as you can get. I will be attending a rare performance of Olivier Messiaen's Des Canyons aux etoiles… [From the canyons to the stars...], a 90 minute continuous work for a small ensemble. After reading up on Messiaen I am fascinated and looking forward to the performance, but when a symphony's communications director refers to a work as "a listening adventure," you know it's going to be interesting.
So if you are local and looking for something interesting to do tomorrow night, give this a shot. Open your ears to something different.
6 Comments:
I had the opportunity to hear one of Cage's later works performed by the BSO at Symphony Hall in Boston. Gamelon, two prepared pianos, as well as most of the rest of a traditional European symphony. The sounds were gorgeous, and the entire piece was symphonic in scope and gesture, even if the bluehairs couldn't grasp that. I can't recall what the rest of the program was exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was mid-to-late 19th century stuff that was good in its own right but in almost complete contrast to the sound of the Cage piece.
Enjoy your performance.
I like non-standard tonalities and polyrhythms, so I suspect this will be right up my alley.
interesting. i had my musical highlight this week with bellini's bel canto opera "i puritani" at vienna's state opera. a night i won't forget.
happy weekend kevin. =)
Enjoy the kulcha!
Terrible T and I will be going to see Pucini. Can't get more Kulchah than that, eh? I feel very lucky to have experienced as much wonderful music as I have. I saw Swan Lake at Albert Hall. That may be an apogee of sorts, for me. I have a sister who played part-time professionally, if only for a short while. And I love to hear the different styles, even if I don't always appreciate them (like trying a new food). I like Phillip glass, but only as a soundtrack. Some things really are challenging to listen to...
Messiaen is great; I'd love to hear some of his pieces done live. I'm not sure what it is, or how to say it, but there's something unquestionably "20th century" about his work. Hope you enjoy the show.
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