Well! Let me say that the experience was enormous, it was thoroughly enjoyed, and looking forward to a similar experience in the future. I had never been to the Orange County Performing Arts Center the structures was not what I expected, The large building with masterful architecture drew you in making you curious what was event was taking place in each hall. It was a very welcoming environment which helped ease the apprehension of entering the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. As I entered and picked up my ticket, the usher were helpful, and the patrons seemed to be enjoying their conversations prior to the concert, very relaxed and enjoying the moment. I was surprised there was no hint superciliousness from the gathering of what I could tell, and instead of being dressed in tuxedos, it was a relaxed dress for the most part.
Making my way to the to my seat, as I entered the hall it was very impressive, covered in wood not sure what type, but positive it selected for acoustics and the red tapestry that covered the seats added to the beauty a very nice combination of décor. I have been in halls before and I was looking for the old style gilded balconies and very dark. Far from that it was a very modern and airy as well as pleasant on the eyes. I felt fortunate to sit right above the orchestra, gave a vantage point to see the expressions of the conductor giving you an idea of his passion for the pieces selected. The orchestra in my opinion played flawlessly.
Christian Knapp the last minute replacement due to the second replacement illness was perfect choice for a replacement for my first concert at this hall. He gave an excellent performance, he brought to mind what it means to lead and share his passion so that it flows into their [the orchestra] music. His résumé seemed impressive playing around the world and training with some very prestigious names such as Mstislav Rostropovich, Itzhak Perlman, Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg just to name a few. He shared the glory and applauded players who had a key role in the various pieces. His ability to follow the lead of Alexander Toradze playing the piano to make the piano concerto by Prokofiev work spoke volumes. Taking the time to have fun as they performed totally involved the audience. He took the time to explain the Stravinsky’s Petrushka though it could be read, not sure that it this takes place each time, but it does help to follow from what I could tell music that was complicated to put together.
The orchestra again did a wonderful job which seemed flawless, sitting above and listening observing when key instruments were cued, they did not miss the prompt, making the music flow. It was interesting listening for certain instruments and understanding that it takes much skill to do what they do. Reflecting back on Alexander Toradze performance, it was incredible that he played from memory such a long piece and the orchestra through the guidance of Christian Knapp followed suit. All the while have fun doing it. Their laughter created laughter in the rest of us.
Lastly to speak to this course I am happy that I chose this as an elective. Over the last few weeks, having the opportunity to experience various artistic performances that I have not been accustom to in quite some time has been awakened and look forward to enjoying more frequently. The understanding that it pays dividends to read about the music you will listen to in order to be attentive to the certain sounds. Key instruments and the imaginations of the composer by mimicking life through instruments to create a beautiful sound and a vibrant story are awesome! Music that has been composed over hundreds of years stills has the ability to touch the soul of men an inspire many to do great things through music continuously being played as the masters wrote it so long ago.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who has never took a course to learn more about music. You come away with a great appreciation for what music is really all about. Another form of telling a story, and how instruments over time have evolved, and that no matter how much technology improves you cannot achieve what the Master has created in humans to take a piece of wood and strings and create a instrument to produce a sound that could never be replicated by machine. Or taking a look at a story, poem or various scenarios and compose music to illustrate that moment of story in time. Yes I would highly recommend this course it was a pleasure to take.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Concordia Theatre
Let me tell you that I had the pleasant experience of enjoying something that is a first for me in person; this was the one and two act play at Concordia University. The skits were funny but very interesting subjects to ponder. The first four plays the Sure Thing, Words Words Words, The Philadelphia and Variations on the Death of Trotsky. Poked fun at several areas of the human psyche, how we react to certain situations and true enough with practice we become better at the delivery. The actors gave a great performance and very believable in their delivery of their characters.
The “Sure Thing” dealt with an attempt to pick up a date at a café, that at each attempt the when the conversation went awry a bell would sound and the conversation would pick up right at the positive moment of delivery. Shifting between male and female with their lines seeking a chance for a date on a Friday night, proved to be something of a challenge. With all honesty, one could look back and reflect on the times in which something worked or did not work as a pick up line and made you chuckle outwardly and inwardly of those moments. Also I wondered how long it took the actors to remember their lines, because it seemed a hard thing to memorize and stay in synch. Truly, this was a quality group of performers that place their best in the craft they accomplished.
The second skit “Words, Words, Words took a second to catch what was taking place, after the light clicked on it was humorous, to the point the next time I visit a zoo, I will wander what the chimpanzee is thinking about us if they are performing. How many times do people jump up and down through hoops to please others, and all the while you try so hard but it does not amount to anything you just fill like it is important. On the opposite side you seek to rebel, and though you make your statement, you are clueless to the fact that you look quite silly with your actions, but no one can tell you differently that your actions are unwise. Perhaps too much thought was place into this play but if nothing more it was humorous.
The Philadelphia could have been on a sitcom such as “Kramer” how many times have we had a day that everything just does not go your way. But the Philadelphia gives you a means to deal with just do the opposite of what is being asked and this will balance everything out in your life for that day. You just have to make sure that you do not cross these moments with a Baltimore experience. If you keep this all in perspective you do just fine offsetting these days in the doldrums. Trotsky’s variation of death, was enjoyable and with a taste of “The Sure Thing” repetitive, bringing to light how he died and why.
The Actors Nightmare the longer of the plays and truly a great show all the actors performance of their characters. This was the longest of all the plays, and showed various ranges of acting from Modern, Elizabethan and Abstract. It was hilarious, a place I would not want to be caught in imagining your in front of a huge audience, and you do not know your lines, and the script continuously changes from one era to another. I was impressed with the Shakespearian actor, the ability to speak in this manner and not have a problem with annunciation of the words at least to my knowledge shows a love for the art of acting. That ability will take him and them far in life, if not in an acting career, definitely in a business. The ability to speak clearly and concisely with confidence is key when dealing with clients; this was something that all of the actors possessed and I am glad that I attended and considering taking in a couple of shows on my own because of this first experience.
The “Sure Thing” dealt with an attempt to pick up a date at a café, that at each attempt the when the conversation went awry a bell would sound and the conversation would pick up right at the positive moment of delivery. Shifting between male and female with their lines seeking a chance for a date on a Friday night, proved to be something of a challenge. With all honesty, one could look back and reflect on the times in which something worked or did not work as a pick up line and made you chuckle outwardly and inwardly of those moments. Also I wondered how long it took the actors to remember their lines, because it seemed a hard thing to memorize and stay in synch. Truly, this was a quality group of performers that place their best in the craft they accomplished.
The second skit “Words, Words, Words took a second to catch what was taking place, after the light clicked on it was humorous, to the point the next time I visit a zoo, I will wander what the chimpanzee is thinking about us if they are performing. How many times do people jump up and down through hoops to please others, and all the while you try so hard but it does not amount to anything you just fill like it is important. On the opposite side you seek to rebel, and though you make your statement, you are clueless to the fact that you look quite silly with your actions, but no one can tell you differently that your actions are unwise. Perhaps too much thought was place into this play but if nothing more it was humorous.
The Philadelphia could have been on a sitcom such as “Kramer” how many times have we had a day that everything just does not go your way. But the Philadelphia gives you a means to deal with just do the opposite of what is being asked and this will balance everything out in your life for that day. You just have to make sure that you do not cross these moments with a Baltimore experience. If you keep this all in perspective you do just fine offsetting these days in the doldrums. Trotsky’s variation of death, was enjoyable and with a taste of “The Sure Thing” repetitive, bringing to light how he died and why.
The Actors Nightmare the longer of the plays and truly a great show all the actors performance of their characters. This was the longest of all the plays, and showed various ranges of acting from Modern, Elizabethan and Abstract. It was hilarious, a place I would not want to be caught in imagining your in front of a huge audience, and you do not know your lines, and the script continuously changes from one era to another. I was impressed with the Shakespearian actor, the ability to speak in this manner and not have a problem with annunciation of the words at least to my knowledge shows a love for the art of acting. That ability will take him and them far in life, if not in an acting career, definitely in a business. The ability to speak clearly and concisely with confidence is key when dealing with clients; this was something that all of the actors possessed and I am glad that I attended and considering taking in a couple of shows on my own because of this first experience.
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