Wynton Marsalis
Mar. 14th, 2024 11:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eve_primeTonight's symphony concert paired up Wynton Marsalis's violin concerto with Beethoven's 7th symphony, my favorite. I'd tried listening to bits of the Marsalis online and wasn't impressed, but I went to the pre-concert talk, where Francesco chatted with the violinist, Bella Hrystova. Usually these talks get me more enthusiastic about the piece, which I was hoping for this time. Although it was pretty nifty to hear that when she was working on the piece she got to spend five hours with Marsalis getting his advice (which made Francesco envious), I was more apprehensive by the end of the talk, having learned that the concerto would last more than 40 minutes (usually a concerto is more like 25 minutes). They also described it as loud, which would surely hurt my head. The word "modern" came up too.
But I did go down to my seat, figuring if I really didn't care for it I could always pretend to be stifling a coughing fit and slip out (I'm on the aisle). Well, yes it was long, and sometimes loud, and sometimes a bit "modern" - but it also was very cool. The violin part was so beautiful, and when it was going to be loud (and it definitely was, big brass and percussion and what sounded like a police whistle), I could usually tell from Francesco's body language and discreetly put my finger in my right ear (I was leaning on my hand for that purpose). (If I'd used the earplugs I keep in my bag, I wouldn't have been able to hear the violin.)
During intermission, I spoke a bit with Scott C, who sits in front of me and a bit to the left. He'd had the same experience, not expecting to like it but doing so after all. (His favorite Beethoven symphony is also #7.)
So I got to enjoy something I hadn't expected to enjoy, and I didn't come home with a headache.
But I did go down to my seat, figuring if I really didn't care for it I could always pretend to be stifling a coughing fit and slip out (I'm on the aisle). Well, yes it was long, and sometimes loud, and sometimes a bit "modern" - but it also was very cool. The violin part was so beautiful, and when it was going to be loud (and it definitely was, big brass and percussion and what sounded like a police whistle), I could usually tell from Francesco's body language and discreetly put my finger in my right ear (I was leaning on my hand for that purpose). (If I'd used the earplugs I keep in my bag, I wouldn't have been able to hear the violin.)
During intermission, I spoke a bit with Scott C, who sits in front of me and a bit to the left. He'd had the same experience, not expecting to like it but doing so after all. (His favorite Beethoven symphony is also #7.)
So I got to enjoy something I hadn't expected to enjoy, and I didn't come home with a headache.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-15 08:20 pm (UTC)You were very fortunate to get to hear him. I wish he would come to Boise.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-15 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-03-15 10:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-03-16 08:38 am (UTC)