Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Blog Night
Tchaikovsky - Nutcracker rendition by Ellington
Bill Eddins is back, he sets up the Tchaikovsky piece, one he is clearly fond of. He also remarks that the piano is closed and will stay that way for the remainder of the concert, he’s done with that! He talks of kids growing up thinking there were 5 seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter and Nutcracker - cause it comes every year.
Having seen the Nutcracker a year ago, this also brings back memories. But this rendition has indeed been “jazzed” up by the Duke himself. It’s familiar, and yet at the same time, it’s not.
Where are the percussionists? I can’t see any of them. I can hear symbols tapping and a beat, where are they hiding? Ah, there he is, hiding amongst the cellos. I have forgotten my symphony set up diagram from music in grade 4. What’s wrong with me?!
I like this version. The original is classic, but this is great! Hip, jazzy, fresh. Now I might have to seek out a CD of this recorded somewhere. With Duke’s orchestra perhaps?
The Waltz of the Flowers has never sounded like this!
Sugar Plum Fairies has become sultry and seductive. Oh my! A sax solo no less. Very “Henri Mancini” like. I can see the ballerinas having fun with this one. I’d LOVE to see the Alberta Ballet do THIS version of the Nutcracker next year - sign me up!
Back to peppy again. I feel like I should be in a blues bar or the Yardbird right now.
Rob is the water nazi! He keeps making me drink water whether I want it or not!
I don’t know why jazz makes me think of felines. Something about it is slinky, sneaky like a cat. Or maybe because I’ve become more acquainted with two of them since they moved into my basement. Pumpkin is the happy, spunky bits - Boo is the dark moody, swipe you with a paw bits. Both a bit mischievous, just like jazz.
I actually don’t remember the last time I went to the symphony. Ballet yes, but they hide there. I don’t think I’ve even been to the Winspear in about 3-4 years. I was way overdue. Thanks ESO for this chance to reconnect with this great music.
So thus endeth the concert. As the maestro shakes hand with the Concert Master, the people stand once again.
Well, so that’s it from the Bloggers Room. Until next time, I need to bring my Japanese drummer student to do this too!
One last after thought . . .
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2 Responses to “Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Blog Night”
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Dear Ms. Hildebrandt,
Recently, I was interviewing for an Executive Director position with an orchestra and in my interview I brought up the subject of blogging. I had read that the San Fransico Symphony had organized a “Bloggers Night” in an attempt to spread awareness of the orchestra. I read one of the blogs and I was intrigued. I have to say that I’m not a blogging or Face Book enthusiast but I want to learn more about how these forms of communication are effecting how an audience relates to and experiences orchestral music. If you have a moment I would be interested in your thoughts on the ESO blogging experience.
On a different topic; Your comment on not watching TV hit a nerve. For a long time I didn’t watch much TV, just too busy. But lately, I have been bemoaning the fact that there is very little worth watching, not busy enough I guess. Time to change that.
I loved the picture of the old lady, each wrinkle spoke of a thousand experiences.
Dave
Dave
Thanks for your comment. The experience blogging was great, I would do it again. Only drawback is that we were in a soundproof room away from the main concert hall (like a baby’s crying room) and the music was piped in through speakers. So we didn’t get the full on experience of the BIG symphony sound.