Just returned from a great concert at the one year old Strathmore Concert Hall in Bethesda, MD. This evening was special because it was the debut of the newly appointed BSO conductor Marin Alsop. I've bought a number of Ms. Alsops CDs on the German Naxos label. I have been impressed with the wide range of her repertoire. She has performed many modern composer works such as Phillip Glass and John Adams. Tonight she performed the 1st symphony of Baltimore born composer Christopher Rouse. It was the hightlight of the evening for me.
This was my first concert at Strathmore. The facility is gorgeous and the concert hall seems pretty near perfect acoustically. I had a second row orchestra seat and the sound was extremely balanced and clear. I had no trouble hearing all of the sections of the orchestra even though I was far off to the right side.
Here's a shot of the concert hall. All wood construction. Seats are very comfortable with plenty of leg room.
There was a Q&A session at the conclusion of the concert. I got to ask Marin if she would consider playing some Frank Zappa orchestral music. She said that she already does perform some pieces. I will be excited to see if this comes true in the future! I think it would be a great thing if the BSO with Marin Alsop performed Zappa considering that he was born in Baltimore.
3 comments:
Hello Chris - I'm a bass player in the BSO and saw you taking pictures at our Strathmore concert. Just read your blog entry, and am glad to know the acoustics were so good and that you enjoyed the Rouse symphony. Next season's just-announced lineup includes pieces by John Adams, Michael Torke and Phillip Glass among others, so I hope you'll be coming out to Strathmore again to sample some more contemporary repertoire. I know I'm looking forward to discovering some unfamiliar music by those three, as well as Martinu and Messiaen who have received very little exposure in Baltimore. Former music director David Zinman used to program a fair amount of contemporary music - including a piece for chamber group by Frank Zappa. I didn't know Zappa was from Baltimore, but I had heard that Phillip Glass is - so maybe it's about time for a Baltimore Composers' festival. (Throw in some Eubie Blake!) Anyway, hope to see you at future BSO concerts. You can find out more about us musicians and upcoming concerts (and even post your own review) at our website: bsomusicians.org
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hello Chris - I'm a bass player in the BSO and saw you taking pictures at our Strathmore concert. Just read your blog entry, and am glad to know the acoustics were so good and that you enjoyed the Rouse symphony. Next season's just-announced lineup includes pieces by John Adams, Michael Torke and Phillip Glass among others, so I hope you'll be coming out to Strathmore again to sample some more contemporary repertoire. I know I'm looking forward to discovering some unfamiliar music by those three, as well as Martinu and Messiaen who have received very little exposure in Baltimore. Former music director David Zinman used to program a fair amount of contemporary music - including a piece for chamber group by Frank Zappa. I didn't know Zappa was from Baltimore, but I had heard that Phillip Glass is - so maybe it's about time for a Baltimore Composers' festival. (Throw in some Eubie Blake!) Anyway, hope to see you at future BSO concerts. You can find out more about us musicians and upcoming concerts (and even post your own review) at our website: bsomusicians.org
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi chris
I'm the English horn in the BSO.
Glad you liked the concert.
I'm curious what you liked the Rouse piece best.
Care to share on that point?
Thanks for speading some good comments about us.
Jane Marvine
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