Off to a good start
Here in the RCO office, Monday morning after a concert weekend is always a time to decompress and reflect on how things went. And this morning as I think about it, I don't think things could have gone much better. One of Ted Kuchar's great strengths is his programming and this concert was a great example. The Dvorak Legends, which aren't played very often (although they should be) served as a great overture. Mozart's Divertimento, k. 131 is another masterpiece which is not often played, and I felt really good about how the orchestra performed this. It's a bear for the french horns and they really came through.
And then of course there was the Brahms First Piano Concerto. Superlatives are thrown around alot when talking about soloists, and what makes someone the "greatest" or "best" is very subjective, but it is certainly fair to say that that there are very few people on the planet who can do what Sergei Babayan can when it comes to playing the piano. The Brahms is a very challenging piece for all involved. Certainly the piano part is a major mountain to climb, but it is also difficult for the orchestra and conductor to fit perfectly with the soloist. It is an illusive piece, but very rewarding. Although it is early-Brahms, it has all those wonderful qualities that makes Brahms' music so great. Fire, introspection, lush melodies, rhythmic engagement inside of a classical structure. For my money, there aren't many composers who write more rewarding music--to listen to or to play.
But even if this great music had been perfectly played, it wouldn't have been the same without the audience we had. This season we have shattered our season ticket sales record (I think the number of total season tickets is about 725), and the hall feels different when it's full. I haven't seen the official numbers, but I think that we played for 900-1,000 people this weekend and as a musician in the orchestra, as well as the executive director, this is very gratifying. Thanks to all who were in attendance.
If you missed the concert or would like to hear it again, go to www.kunr.org on Thursday, September 28th at 9:06 a.m. (PDT) and click on the "listen-now" button.
Scott
And then of course there was the Brahms First Piano Concerto. Superlatives are thrown around alot when talking about soloists, and what makes someone the "greatest" or "best" is very subjective, but it is certainly fair to say that that there are very few people on the planet who can do what Sergei Babayan can when it comes to playing the piano. The Brahms is a very challenging piece for all involved. Certainly the piano part is a major mountain to climb, but it is also difficult for the orchestra and conductor to fit perfectly with the soloist. It is an illusive piece, but very rewarding. Although it is early-Brahms, it has all those wonderful qualities that makes Brahms' music so great. Fire, introspection, lush melodies, rhythmic engagement inside of a classical structure. For my money, there aren't many composers who write more rewarding music--to listen to or to play.
But even if this great music had been perfectly played, it wouldn't have been the same without the audience we had. This season we have shattered our season ticket sales record (I think the number of total season tickets is about 725), and the hall feels different when it's full. I haven't seen the official numbers, but I think that we played for 900-1,000 people this weekend and as a musician in the orchestra, as well as the executive director, this is very gratifying. Thanks to all who were in attendance.
If you missed the concert or would like to hear it again, go to www.kunr.org on Thursday, September 28th at 9:06 a.m. (PDT) and click on the "listen-now" button.
Scott
posted by Scott Faulkner at 9:09 AM
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