Read about the PSO concert experience from various viewpoints.
Everything Old is New Again
When I was a tiny little lass, I lived a life that was constantly colored with melodic rhapsodies from my favorite musicals. Rainy Saturdays always consisted of West Side Story marathons…as mandated by ME, because I am the oldest child. (If a movie is good, there’s NOTHING WRONG with watching it for eight consecutive hours.) [...]
Mar 30
Sarah Chang and the PSO
Sarah Chang and the PSO “Music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable.” ― Leonard Bernstein I think it appropriate to start off with a quote from Bernstein as violinist Sarah Chang, conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier, and our Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played Bernstein’s West Side Story for Violin and Orchestra (Arr. & Adpt. David [...]
Mar 26
Rekindled Phase with the Universe
When this day began, no notes plunged tentacles deep within my heart, no songs ran feathers up and down my goose-bumped skin, eliciting magical feelings. No music heretofore evoked rapt emotional sentiment, no sounds crept upon abstracted mind, preoccupied with superficial daily diversion. Yet the symphony concert was about to begin, and I had not [...]
Mar 26
Previn and the Pittsburgh, Recapitulated
I’ve always wanted to attend a concert with André Previn conducting the PSO, and this past weekend was my perfect opportunity. Mr Previn walks on stage assisted by a staff member, he turns, smiles and bows graciously before the audience, then is seated on a chair on the conductor’s podium. He starts the music instantly, [...]
Mar 14
Haydn, Previn & Mendelssohn’s “Italian”
I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. -Billy Joel That statement could not bear more truth. The astounding concert presented this past weekend by the PSO and legendary composer and guest conductor, André [...]
Mar 12
The rhythm of modern life
This weekend Maestro Previn returned again to conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and this time to conduct the premier of his own work. As a taste, we were treated to the Brass Quartet from Carnegie Mellon University performing some of Previn’s other work. Listening to the opening of Previn’s Triple Concerto for Horn, Trumpet, Tuba [...]
Mar 12
Wagner, Schopenhauer, and The Will
The lovely wife and I saw a wonderful concert this afternoon. Emanuel Ax is such an amazing pianist that whatever he plays it’s thrilling though our two professional reviewers seem to differ on his performance on Friday night. While Druckenbrod of the P-G put it this way: While he swims expertly in the clear waters of [...]
Mar 5
Thinking of classics and enigmas
This past Sunday’s concert included a workshop and post-concert discussion led by teaching artist Christina Farrell. For Elgar’s Enigma Variations, the easy choice of topics would be to look at three enigmas directly presented by Elgar. But as we talked, conversation covered another topic, does the direction or intent of the creator of a piece [...]
Mar 5
PSO’s Enigmatic Passion frame Ax’s lively performance
As the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Nikolaj Znaider, begin Richard Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde, I see Cellos, Flutes, Piccolo, Violins then Horns as the Prelude portion builds. Then I realize that Mr Znaider has no score, and I’m amazed at his ability to remember all the parts and transitions [...]
Mar 4
