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We were looking forward to what The Wife & I expected to be a wonderful experience.
Joshua Bell performing Saturday, 14 Apri, at Heinz Hall In Pgh PA.
Juanjo Mena, guest conductor
PSO
Program:
Mason Bates: Desert Transport
Leonard Bernstein: Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Joshua Bell, violin
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3
I have broken the event down to five categories.
1. venue: Heinz Hall, Pgh Pa
You can google if you wish, but in essence Heinz Hall is absolutely beautiful & baroque in style & architecture.
Additionally, it is an acoustic triumph based on personal experience & having been seated in numerous locations for numerous performances. Very little to no electronic amplification is a common practice & for good reason.
2. audience: Typical for a show of this genre. Quiet, respectful, & knowledgeable of the works performed.
I am happy to report no cell phones were heard during the performance. Additionally, applause were held between movements which lends cohesion to the whole, IMHO.
3. program: Less common but not unwelcome.
The first piece, “Desert Transport”, was a modern grand symphony in what I would characterize as Copland-esque style. An interpretation of the composer’s experience of a helicopter tour over the Utah desert, it was quite compelling to have him, Mason Bates, talk to us about his work. Not often an occurrence when attending Classical concerts to have the actual composer around to lend direct intent to the orchestra & audience. That intent being to combine both the Pastoral & Mechanic styles into a single symphony. From the fluttering percussive beat of helicopter blades to the subtle chant of native Utah American Indian song, the attempt was quite successful in my mind. A thrilling ride.
Next up was Joshua Bell’s performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade for Violin and Orchestra. I simply do not have the ability to convey in words what a $5 million dollar fiddle in the hands of a maestro can sound like when producing the notes from this emotional piece. “Sheer joy” is the best I can muster.
After intermission the last work to be performed was that of Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. I am not versed well to Brahms, this was basicaly a new piece to me as I did not have copy to preview prior to the concert, though I have heard it. It is one I will add to my library.
4. performance: Technically superb. Emotionally moving.
5. overall: Guest conductor Juanjo Mena was enthusiastic as his direction brought forth life & emotion to all works. Bates’ symphony alone was worth the ticket price, & I was happy to have my first experience of the Brahms work in such a wonderful setting with such accomplished artists as are the PSO.
But the raison d'être was obviously the performance of Joshua Bell. We were seated 10 rows back & center in the first tier & as the notes floated up and around us, Maestro Bell transported us to a place of beauty that we will cherish for many, many years.
Joshua Bell performing Saturday, 14 Apri, at Heinz Hall In Pgh PA.
Juanjo Mena, guest conductor
PSO
Program:
Mason Bates: Desert Transport
Leonard Bernstein: Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, Joshua Bell, violin
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3
I have broken the event down to five categories.
1. venue: Heinz Hall, Pgh Pa
You can google if you wish, but in essence Heinz Hall is absolutely beautiful & baroque in style & architecture.
Additionally, it is an acoustic triumph based on personal experience & having been seated in numerous locations for numerous performances. Very little to no electronic amplification is a common practice & for good reason.
2. audience: Typical for a show of this genre. Quiet, respectful, & knowledgeable of the works performed.
I am happy to report no cell phones were heard during the performance. Additionally, applause were held between movements which lends cohesion to the whole, IMHO.
3. program: Less common but not unwelcome.
The first piece, “Desert Transport”, was a modern grand symphony in what I would characterize as Copland-esque style. An interpretation of the composer’s experience of a helicopter tour over the Utah desert, it was quite compelling to have him, Mason Bates, talk to us about his work. Not often an occurrence when attending Classical concerts to have the actual composer around to lend direct intent to the orchestra & audience. That intent being to combine both the Pastoral & Mechanic styles into a single symphony. From the fluttering percussive beat of helicopter blades to the subtle chant of native Utah American Indian song, the attempt was quite successful in my mind. A thrilling ride.
Next up was Joshua Bell’s performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade for Violin and Orchestra. I simply do not have the ability to convey in words what a $5 million dollar fiddle in the hands of a maestro can sound like when producing the notes from this emotional piece. “Sheer joy” is the best I can muster.
After intermission the last work to be performed was that of Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3. I am not versed well to Brahms, this was basicaly a new piece to me as I did not have copy to preview prior to the concert, though I have heard it. It is one I will add to my library.
4. performance: Technically superb. Emotionally moving.
5. overall: Guest conductor Juanjo Mena was enthusiastic as his direction brought forth life & emotion to all works. Bates’ symphony alone was worth the ticket price, & I was happy to have my first experience of the Brahms work in such a wonderful setting with such accomplished artists as are the PSO.
But the raison d'être was obviously the performance of Joshua Bell. We were seated 10 rows back & center in the first tier & as the notes floated up and around us, Maestro Bell transported us to a place of beauty that we will cherish for many, many years.
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