Monday, February 19, 2007

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra--Theofanidis, Beethoven (Bronfman), and Mahler's First

Anjali and I went to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra this Friday after a delicious dinner of Thai food--Andrew was our server. I heard my second Theofanidis performance of the season, this time of Rainbow Body, a spiritual piece that reminded me of music from the Cosmos TV series of the 1980's. Chris Theofanidis is the PSO's Composer of the Year in residence, and images from the Hubble Spacecraft were provided by Mario Livio. Anjali and I enjoyed the gently changing variety of themes in the piece.

Next was Yefim Bronfman at the piano for Beethoven's Concerto No.1 in C Major, Op. 15. He was, as usual, dynamic at the piano and played one of my favorite pieces, Chopin's Revolutionary Etude, as an encore. This is the second time that I have heard Bronfman perform with the PSO. The first was at last year's Mozart's 250th birthday concert at the PSO.

After intermission was the Mahler piece--I've found previous symphonies by Mahler to be rather dark and foreboding, but this particular performance of his Symphony No.1 in D Major was rather emotive, moving, with distinct themes that differ enough from each other to provide interest. Okay, okay, I admit it--I actually ENJOYED this particular performance of Mahler's First! Peter Oundjian conducted, and Anjali and I both enjoyed his animated direction of the orchestra.

After the long evening, we stood at the bus stop and discussed leg wear in the sub-zero temperatures while waiting for the bus. Meanwhile, we decided against attending the Lunar New Year Party in Squirrel Hill after the concert.

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posted by Grace @ 2/19/2007 02:17:00 PM 2 comments

Friday, January 19, 2007

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra--Theofanidis, Haydn, Mozart

Tonight I went to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Bellefield Hall at the University of Pittsburgh. They played a 1997 composition by Chris Theofanidis, Visions and Miracles. The title of the first movement comes from Nietzsche. The second movement's title is from Tim Leary, and held a recurring theme of scales, which reminded me of one of Marissa's songs for Beatrice. The third movement's title is from a medieval troubadour's love song (alba). Haydn's "Mercury" symphony (No. 43) was played next. I particularly liked the pieces by Mozart: The Adagio (EMajor) for violin and orchestra K. 261, and the Rondo in CMajor for Violin and OrchestraK. 373, as well as the final piece, the Symphony No. 33 in B-flat Major K. 319. Andres Cardenes conducted for much of the evening, and Chris Theofanidis was present.

How lovely to hear turn-of-the-21st Century music juxtaposed next to 18th Century tunes. Both were fresh and refreshing. I had a nice chat with Karen from my building, who serendipitously became my seatmate. I also ran into my friends Ornella and Isabella, Donna (from choir) and her husband, and two of my former students, Nate S-E and Elana W. At the end of the concert we stepped out into the swirling, falling snow and commented how the plants were "confused"--sending shoots up in winter, as the weather was warm and sunny last week. We pondered the implications for flora and fauna of our recent global warming weather (sub-climatic) patterns.

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posted by Grace @ 1/19/2007 10:47:00 PM 0 comments