Author |
Subject |
Laura
Wichers Moderator (4/4/01 12:53:01 pm) Reply |
Isserlis concert
This past Sunday I attended a GREAT
concert... Isserlis and the Detroit Symphony, played Saint-Saens
concerto, Rachmaninoff 2nd symphony, and some overture I can't
remember.
I've never seen Isserlis perform before, so this
was quite a treat. The only tickets left when we bought ours were
either in the nosebleed section or the front row of the main floor.
So we sat 10ft directly in front of the soloist. Very cool!! Not
only could we hear all of the orchestra musicians well (individual
instruments, that was interesting), but we had a great view of their
shoes. I highly recommend the front row for that reason
alone.
Oh, the concert. Right. Isserlis played his Strad (the
Feuermann Strad) and did a really nice job with the Saint-Saens. My
only two peeves about his performance were his very liberal use of
portato and pseudo-portato (if that has a real term, I don't know
it) and the fact that he used only gut strings. I like the sound of
the gut strings in the lyrical sections, but in some places such as
the double-stop section in the first movement it was very difficult
to hear the cello over the orchestra. I doubt people in the
nosebleed section could hear it at all.
What I enjoyed about
Isserlis' performance: He looked so happy to be performing! It
irritates me no end when I go to a concert and the soloist looks
like they would rather be doing anything else. Isserlis had a huge
smile on his face most of the time and was obviously enjoying the
performance experience. His interpretation was interesting; I can't
remember anything specific, just that the whole piece was very
musical and well thought out.
The best part: Isserlis signed
autographs during the intermission, so now I have a new picture with
a cello great and an autographed CD to boot. Isserlis seemed to be
very down-to-earth and a generally nice person, a nice change from
some of the snottier classical soloists I've met.
If any of
you are ever in the Detroit area, definitely try and get tickets to
a DSO concert. The orchestra is just fantastic, and while I have
mixed feelings about Jarvi's conducting, I have nothing but good
things to say about the orchestra. Oh, and the concertmaster always
has great shoes.
Laura
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Paul
Tseng ICS Staff  Administrator (4/4/01 2:12:50 pm) Reply
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Re:
Isserlis concert
I'm glad you enjoyed the
concert.
I'm not really one of those really severe-looking
cellists who looks like they'd rather be somewhere else instead of
on stage, but I certainly don't see myself smiling most of the time
in the Saint Saens Concerto.
When I play, I really don't want
to draw so much attention to myself so that the audience is thinking
"oh how lovely, he's having so much fun!" or "boy what an idiot,
wipe that smile off your face!"
I want them to be thinking
"what a magnificent piece of music this concerto/sonata is!" or "The
cello is such a beautiful sounding instrument".
I don't mind
if they are thinking "He plays the cello well" but that's about all
the attention I want for myself. Most of it should go to the
composer and his work.
Needless to say, it's one of my pet
peeves to see a musician playing games with his/her body and face
while performing a masterpiece. I want to shout at him "Hey! This
isn't about you!"
But then again, maybe I'm just too snotty?
Paul Tseng
My Website Alexander's website MP3!
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Ryan
Selberg  Registered User (4/4/01 4:38:34 pm) Reply |
Re:
Isserlis concert
Hi, Laura,
Glad to hear you
had such a wonderful musical experience. I am still looking forward
to hearing/working with Isserlis, as I have enjoyed the recorded
work he has done. As a side question, what is the current status of
the principal cello chair in the DSO? Did they ever resolve the
conflict between Jarvi's wishes and those of the orchestra/cello
section?
Ryan
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Laura
Wichers Moderator (4/4/01 5:22:14 pm) Reply |
Re:
Isserlis concert
His posturing was not what I noticed
first, but I think that his generally happy stage presence made for
a better overall concert experience for the audience, especially
those who don't normally listen to classical music. It wasn't like
he was doing theatrics to cover up a lack of musical
talent.
You probably know I'm the first to knock those who
gyrate and (how did someone put it? make love to themselves on
stage?) because they think it "adds to the show" or they just can't
control themselves. You know, my Anti-Grotesque Movement Act (AGMA)!
This concert did not apply... I didn't have to drag out the AGMA
dogs.
Laura
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Laura
Wichers Moderator (4/4/01 5:26:07 pm) Reply |
Re:
Isserlis concert
Marcy Chanteaux is still the acting
principal. The last I heard was that the DSO cellists were generally
quite peeved with how the auditions and selection process was being
carried out and refused to participate in further auditions
(third-hand info, btw). The orchestra has not to my knowledge done
anything about the situation for quite
awhile.
Laura
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Parker
Garvin Registered
User (4/4/01 5:42:56 pm) Reply |
AGMA
I'd be curious to see who has
violated the AGMA. Does Yo-Yo appear on the list of offenders? There
are times when I would have given him a ticket.
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Laura
Wichers Moderator (4/4/01 6:29:57 pm) Reply |
Re:
AGMA
I haven't seen Ma perform since the
Congress, and for various reasons I wasn't really paying attention.
He might qualify.
The guy who played Schumann at the Congress
most definitely qualifies. Josh Bell qualified at a performance a
few years back. Several people from my old youth orchestra qualify,
and had the honor of being my "inspiration" for the AGMA. One of my
former conductors qualifies. I had a list around here somewhere, if
I find it I'll post it. In the meantime, I'll take nominations for
new AGMA members!
Laura
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zambocello Registered User (4/4/01 6:32:34 pm) Reply |
I like
Isserlis' recordings..........
.........but I've never heard him in
person, even though I've been to his concerts.
He did look marvelous, though!
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bachmania Registered User (4/5/01 5:42:25 am) Reply |
Re: I
like Isserlis' recordings..........
Zambo: You've never heard him in
person...yet you're been to his concerts...HMM>..i'm still
thinking about that..
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