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Laura Wichers
Moderator
(4/4/01 12:53:01 pm)
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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

Paul Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(4/4/01 2:12:50 pm)
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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? :p


Paul Tseng


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Ryan Selberg 
Registered User
(4/4/01 4:38:34 pm)
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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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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..


          New Isserlis concert-Laura Wichers-(8)-4/4/01 12:53:01 pm  
               New I like Isserlis' recordings..........-zambocello 4/4/01 6:32:34 pm  
                    New Re: I like Isserlis' recordings..........-bachmania 4/5/01 5:42:25 am  
               Re: Isserlis concert-Ryan Selberg  4/4/01 4:38:34 pm  
                    New Re: Isserlis concert-Laura Wichers 4/4/01 5:26:07 pm  
               Re: Isserlis concert-Paul Tseng ICS Staff  4/4/01 2:12:50 pm  
                    New Re: Isserlis concert-Laura Wichers 4/4/01 5:22:14 pm  
                         New AGMA-Parker Garvin 4/4/01 5:42:56 pm  
                              New Re: AGMA-Laura Wichers 4/4/01 6:29:57 pm  
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