last classical May 21, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : appreciation/criticism, music, the orchestra world, add a commentThis is a bit on the late side, I know, but I promised that I’d give myself a small breather after the last set of classical series concerts before I wrote about them.
First, Olivier Messiaen’s L’Ascension for orchestra. It’s not a work that I was familiar with before the rehearsals began, and it was a bit of an odd pill to swallow. Not unrewarding, not un-beautiful, just different, I guess. It’s enigmatic when you want (or expect) it to proclaim. Part of it is the way it is structured from the point of view of a performer.
The first movement, Majesty of Christ Asking Glory from his Father, is basically a slow, long, series of trumpet calls, with a few winds sprinkled in amongst the massive brass orchestrations. So we in the string sections start the piece by sitting around listening to really slow music for close to 10 minutes. If you’re the least bit tired, as I was on Saturday night, it can be excruciating sitting still in front of 2000+ people and struggling not to fall asleep on stage! (more…)
carmina cut-ups May 16, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : music, opera, soloists & recitals, the orchestra world, add a comment
We had one of those priceless moments tonight during our evening rehearsal (our first with the Portland Symphonic choir for this series) - Soprano Cyndia Sieden was singing that most gorgeous and time-stopping aria (the one that goes up to a super high D) from Carmina Burana. She had just done the slow scale up to the high D, and was at the pause before the phrase ended, and the whole hall was silent: you could have heard a pin drop - she was sounding phenomenal, and everyone didn’t want the spell to be broken, and she turned to Carlos with a slightly helpless look on her face: she’d forgotten the last six notes of the aria! Of course Carlos cracked up, followed by the orchestra, Cyndia, and the entire chorus. It was a nice moment in an otherwise hard-working rehearsal session.
I was a bit out of it for the first part of the rehearsal as I’d decided that riding my bike to work on an 85 degree evening would be fun (plus my wife had the car). It was hot and I didn’t drink enough water along the way, so I was in a bit of a daze for a while. I also learned that riding with my viola on my back is a deal-breaker: the top of the case hits the back of my helmet so I have to keep my head way down to ride. Bummer!
oso carmina burana - going fast! April 29, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : music, the orchestra world, add a commentIf you’re interested in attending the last OSO classical series concerts of the season - Messiaen’s Ascension and Orff’s Carmina Burana - on May 17-19, you might wish to get your tickets sooner than later (as in NOW).
Sales are going briskly, and there will be no musician comp tickets for these concerts (a relatively rare event lately).
Get your tickets either here online or by calling the OSO box office at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343.
