Symphony opening weekend
Here's a link to the review that ran in some editions in Saturday's Enquirer. What did you think?
Did you know: You can now go to our entertainment site at Cincinnati.com and write your own review, or flag ours and "rate" it. Somebody last week wrote that the Cincinnati Pops was "da bomb" ...
posted by Janelle Gelfand at 10:06 AM
9 Comments:
at 9/18/2007 05:26:00 PM 
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at 9/19/2007 12:03:00 AM 
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at 9/19/2007 03:43:00 PM 
Janelle Gelfand said...
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at 9/19/2007 04:33:00 PM 
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at 9/19/2007 05:39:00 PM 
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at 9/19/2007 09:33:00 PM 
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at 9/27/2007 10:30:00 AM 
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at 9/27/2007 11:32:00 AM 
Janelle Gelfand said...
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at 9/28/2007 09:27:00 AM 
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Post a Comment*Interesting review. I had a different take if you're interested - though perhaps I was a bit harsh. http://mytopia.org/?p=66
They are STILL a wonderful orchestra; however, something seemed to be missing in the first half.
I appreciate your alternative insights.
Yeah... a strange choice of a program, a generally lifeless conductor, and a pianist who couldn't play a single passage without missing notes, especially those "massive arpeggios" that apparently "were like bolts of lightning."
The first half was generally OK, but I'm not so sure about the "unhurried, and spacious" Tanhauser Overture. I saw a string section that could not stay together because it was so hurried and uncomfortable.
And because you left out your favorite word from your review, I must include it here... *Kudos* to the May Festival Chorus, and the wonderful wind section in the Forest Murmurs.
Did anyone notice that the orchestra was sitting outside the proscenium? It was obviously to leave room for the chorus, but they really did sound different last week, and I'm not sure for the better. I sort of agree with Nathan about weaker sounding brass, but I don't think it was entirely the playing. (Nathan, where were you sitting?) I'm wondering if that was also a partial test for whatever plan they have to thrust the orchestra out into the hall -- I've heard rumors such as under the chandelier, raising the stage up higher (I can't imagine...)
Last evening, Leann and I attended the Donors' Choice Concert - Sept. 18, 2007 at Music Hall.
Never have I seen a Conductor such as Maestro Jarvi nor have I heard the CSO play with such brilliance and finesse as when they performed ROMEO AND JULIET Overture-fantasy. I truly believe that Paavo literally pulled the heart and soul from each musician on stage into the palms of his hands, and therefore created a Masterpiece with a rendition above reproach! Only Tchaikovsky could have said: 'At last! This was the way I intended it to be.' BRAVO MAESTRO! BRAVO!
Musically yours,
Jack Ward
Janelle,
Great points. I didn't even think about the fact that they may have been testing ground. Certainly, their position outside the proscenium may have impacted the balance, but it seems to me that would not have impacted the brass (or perhaps the physics of the sound somehow got thrown off)...I am not sure. Per your question: I was in the front row of section 'O' (nosebleed).
What in the world would they be thinking to place the orchestra under the chandelier? STRANGE indeed.
Jack, your positive note was well received. Listen, I can be a crotchety guy, but I am also open to saying that the concert I attended was their first - and with all of the possible issues, just a fluke performance. Romeo and Juliet would have been marvelous to hear.
Janelle, I have a question: what's up with the bassoons? Is Monroe-Collins joining the section? We went to school together both at UK and CCM. She's one helluva bassoonist and I think would be an obvious second to Winstead.
I appreciate your response on the blog and look forward to more discussions throughout the season.
Kind regards,
Nathan
There are many halls throughout the world in which the stage is at the center, surrounded by the audience. The walls and ceiling of Music Hall probably have to be dramatically reconfigured to made it work, I would imagine. Also, what I've noticed with the brass, is that they have to blow their ###'s off to project into the house and even some of them sound as if they're in different rooms.
Any news yet?
Nathan, I stay out of personnel issues, but you are correct that Jennifer Monroe has been on a one-year appointment -- for about three years. My "source" said to me that "this is no doubt cheaper for the orchestra than hiring her outright." I don't know if that's true and I'm certainly not privy to those discussions. There are a lot of new faces coming and going in these first weeks. Sitting in the first week on second trombone was Jeremy Moeller. Then sitting in on principal trumpet was Ryan Anthony, principal from the Dallas Symphony (probably trying out for the job vacated by Phil Collins last year) and Randall Montgomery, principal from the Milwaukee Symphony, playing principal tuba.
It's unfortunate, but not unusual, for an audition to be held and no one selected. Also, there are a limited # of auditions that can be fit into the music director's schedule each season (regarding other vacancies). I don't think any of these things are secrets--or meant to be secrets.
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