The guest speaker was not as informative as in the past, but that is OK.....We had the complete honor of SF Symphony Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt. He was the conductor from 1985-1995. What a TREAT! I must say that he is in EXCELLENT condition for being 82 years old!!!
They played Mozart - Symphony No. 36, Linz. As always, I did a little research beforehand about Linz and Mozart and the writing of the symphony. Every piece has a story and this one is just as interesting. Made me think about mental illness. So many artists are noted to be 'schizophrenic' and makes me think about why this is. My guess is that when you are such a GENIUS in your field, perhaps you are not as balanced in other areas?
Anyway, the performance BLEW ME AWAY - AGAIN! It was so utterly moving - yes, of course to tears again!! I really want to say that THIS performance may have been the best one ever! I want to ask the others in the crowd....Are you just as BLOWN away as me by this performance? Or 'Do you take this talent for granted being somewhat 'accustomed' to hearing such precision?' When they finished playing the Mozart, the conductor told the orchestra, "What a guy, what a guy!!"
As I was listening I was trying to find the words to describe what I was witnessing! Sorry, you'll have to come up and listen for yourself to get the FULL effect - no words can really describe it!!! For the Mozart piece there were 50 violins with the full orchestra!! Imagine!! 50!!! All playing, at times together. AT ONCE! Sometimes, answering each other. But ALL of the time, moving the piece along with tender, sweet, and aggressive precision! I came home and looked online to learn more about this versatile instrument. I mean, it can be a bluegrass fiddler to a symphonic icon!!! Also, did you know there were 13 bowing techniques, according to Wikipedia anyway? They don't just move that bow back and forth.....they:
Detache
Martele
Colle
Spiccato
Legato
Sautille
Jete
Loure
Arpeggio
Tremolo
Col legno
Shuffle
Chopping
I think between the Mozart piece and the Bruckner piece they used every single one!! I really found a new appreciation for this beautiful instrument in a way that surprises me. I usually place my attention on the cellos, the clarinet of course, bassoon, and french horn.
The Symphony No. 6 - Bruckner piece was just as impressive. It was played with 20 violins and a much smaller orchestra. The oboe and bassoon were major contributors and always a delight! About half way through, I noticed that the conductor did not open his score! He knew it ALL without looking at the score!!! Then, afterwards, opened the score and discussed certain areas with the musicians and repeated certain areas.
My job as Donut Girl also went well. Today, a patron approached me and THANKED us for volunteering!!! That was super sweet!! I'll have to remember that one! I work with four other ladies and one man. We have interesting discussions before the patrons arrive and I am always intrigued about their interesting perspectives on the arts, San Francisco and life in general.
On Facebook, my mom wrote about my love for classical music. I had to set the record straight..... I have been told that some find it odd that I am sooooo diversified when it comes to music. I can rock it with the best of them - Buckcherry - to Country - to Black Eyed Peas - to Norah Jones - back to Classical! I mean, I truly LOVE. It. ALL!! The only genre that I never really consumed was the Hard Rock - you know, the screaming into the microphone type of Ozzy Osbourne stuff!! Can you blame me? Come on!!
Also today I found myself thinking of Mr. Selleck, my band director in High School, love, family and how fortunate I am to be in a place where I am able to enjoy this LUXURIOUS gift of the SF Symphony, once again.
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