A group of us went to the National Concert Hall last night, to see the National Symphony Orchestra play. This is the track listing!
Bach/Webern Fuga (Ricercata) a 6 voci
Berg Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor
I'd heard of Bach and Mahler alright, but not Berg, and to be honest anything I'd heard of Bach's was very pleasing to the ear. While it's a bit of a rush to get up to the NCH after work, I'd come round to looking forward to it. And sure, wouldn't we get to meet up with the others and get some drinkies in afterwards?
So we met in the foyer beforehand, ordered the interval drinks (they've a clever system at the NCH of putting your drinks in a box, kind of like a pigeon hole system only bigger) which were quite reasonably priced I might add, and wondered whether the style we thought we were wearing was up to the standards of the NCH!
The first piece of music, indeed the first half - I believe the Bach and Berg pieces, as I unfortunately didn't get a programme - was quite difficult to listen to. (google - define:diplomacy) I must say that the musicians certainly seemed to have their work cut out for them, it was quite a technical piece with lots of sharps and what I (not an expert) would call disharmonic notes so respect for them. However, the music didn't appeal to me, and I anticipated the 2nd half with a little trepidation...
Enjoyed some drinks and a breath or three of fresh air.
The music in the second half was much better than the first. None of the melodies remain in my head now, but I know I enjoyed it more than the earlier pieces. It was quite long, though, and I got a bit impatient at the 5 (yes, five!) disappearing and reappearing acts the conductor made at the end. I'm all for an appreciative round of applause, even 2 or 3 if something was spectacularly entertaining, but I definitely missed the reason for such a lengthy applause session last night.
What would have helped was a programme. Didn't get a chance to before the performance with the queue at the stand, and there were none left at half-time. It would have at least given the music some background and some frame of reference wherein I could perhaps have appreciated it more. I don't think I could ever like the first pieces, but would definitely like to appreciate any social background that they might have had back when they were performed as "pop music."
The music was in my humble opinion, inaccessible. This was down to the fact that I had no means to connect to the music - no introductions from the stage, and no programme. Next time I go, I'll choose music that I'll expect to enjoy, and I'll buy a programme!!
Bach/Webern Fuga (Ricercata) a 6 voci
Berg Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor
I'd heard of Bach and Mahler alright, but not Berg, and to be honest anything I'd heard of Bach's was very pleasing to the ear. While it's a bit of a rush to get up to the NCH after work, I'd come round to looking forward to it. And sure, wouldn't we get to meet up with the others and get some drinkies in afterwards?
So we met in the foyer beforehand, ordered the interval drinks (they've a clever system at the NCH of putting your drinks in a box, kind of like a pigeon hole system only bigger) which were quite reasonably priced I might add, and wondered whether the style we thought we were wearing was up to the standards of the NCH!
The first piece of music, indeed the first half - I believe the Bach and Berg pieces, as I unfortunately didn't get a programme - was quite difficult to listen to. (google - define:diplomacy) I must say that the musicians certainly seemed to have their work cut out for them, it was quite a technical piece with lots of sharps and what I (not an expert) would call disharmonic notes so respect for them. However, the music didn't appeal to me, and I anticipated the 2nd half with a little trepidation...
Enjoyed some drinks and a breath or three of fresh air.
The music in the second half was much better than the first. None of the melodies remain in my head now, but I know I enjoyed it more than the earlier pieces. It was quite long, though, and I got a bit impatient at the 5 (yes, five!) disappearing and reappearing acts the conductor made at the end. I'm all for an appreciative round of applause, even 2 or 3 if something was spectacularly entertaining, but I definitely missed the reason for such a lengthy applause session last night.
What would have helped was a programme. Didn't get a chance to before the performance with the queue at the stand, and there were none left at half-time. It would have at least given the music some background and some frame of reference wherein I could perhaps have appreciated it more. I don't think I could ever like the first pieces, but would definitely like to appreciate any social background that they might have had back when they were performed as "pop music."
The music was in my humble opinion, inaccessible. This was down to the fact that I had no means to connect to the music - no introductions from the stage, and no programme. Next time I go, I'll choose music that I'll expect to enjoy, and I'll buy a programme!!
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