On Tuesday the 11th November, I was lucky enough to go with Alexandra Wylie to see Rachel Barton Pine in concert in the Cadogan Hall in central London. When we arrived the entrance hall was packed and buzzing with people, it was really exciting and we went to take our seats. The orchestra and conductor, (José Serebrier) came on shortly after and started to play.
Before the concert started it was lovely to see the musicians walk in dressed up very smartly all in black, and before they played the first piece the two main musicians came in. One of them played the violin and the other played the viola. The woman playing the viola was in a very beautiful dress and it complemented her very well.
The Sinfonia Concertante started off really lively and jolly and continued throughout the first movement. They really exaggerated on the dynamics, especially the crescendos. For about half a minute the two main musicians played a little duet and it sounded really lovely and they really got into the mood of the music.
On Sunday the 26th October 2008 my mother and I were given the opportunity to see the London symphony orchestra play. It was an Amazing experience! The evening’s music was conducted by a lady called Xian Zhang, and if you are unfamiliar with the role of a conductor, her role is major, without her the orchestra would lack co-ordination.
The night was split into three parts and each part was portraying a different subject matter.
Singing cats? A dog who wears boxing gloves? A giant clockwork mouse? A crack right across the backdrop which slides open to reveal animated scenes? Smoking chimney pots on the stage itself? A dead Contessa?
When we went to the Philharmonia Britannica concert, in a church just off of Sloane Square in Kensington, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the classical music they played. The programme that night comprised three pieces – Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto Number 3, BWV 1084; Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor, Op. 64; and Beethoven’s symphony number 5 in C minor, Op.67.
With mesmerising energy and unwavering rhythm, Lorin Maazel exerted absolute control over the New York Philharmonic (in his final season as conductor), performing Ravel's 'Ma mère L'Oye' (Mother Goose Suite), 'The Miraculous Mandarin Suite' by Bartók and a moving rendition of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony.
Gustavo Dudamel made a welcome return to the BBC Proms after his debut with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra nearly 3 years ago. The Venezuelan-born conductor is music director of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and chose to perform Ravel’s La Valse, a Clarinet Concerto (Peacock Tales) by Anders Hillborg and finally, to end the concert, the wonderful Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique.
The concert began with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra performing the Mozart Symphony No. 33. The symphony consists of four movements, Allegro assai, Andante moderato, Menuetto, and the Finale: Allegro assai. It was thought that it wasn’t just Mozart’s work, but also a German composer’s work, Carl Friedrich Abel, from the older classical period. The music was light, which is what is to be brought across in classical music using a variety of dynamic changes, some unexpected.
On Monday the 11th of June I went to see a performance of Mister Stourworm and the Kelpie’s gift. The whole of school was there and there were many other visitors. It took place in Demarco Skateraw gallery, a short distance from our school. There were lots of people already sitting around the room and there was different art on the walls of the gallery. When we arrived most of the space was filed and we could see the orchestra set out. I don’t often watch classical performances but although I had seen the Scottish orchestra once before and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
On Friday, I went to see the London Philharmonic Orchestra play at the Royal Festival Hall. It was my first experience of live classical music, and it wasn’t what I expected, but I found it really interesting to go and watch. I was surprised when I entered the concert hall that there were people sat behind the stage. I had not expected that. I liked watching the orchestra coming out, and sitting in a certain place with their instruments. I think I learnt a lot about how the orchestra is laid out.
