Rachmaninoff: after America I’ll be able to buy myself that automobile
October 8, 2012Posted in Concert Blog
The Incontrovertible Legend of Zelda with subtle and infrequent references to Link
August 1, 2012Posted in Concert Blog
From the depths of deeply vibrant strings to an arduously congruous ascent toward the light
October 24, 2011Posted in Concert Blog
PSO at IUP- Theofandis, Mendelssohn, Danielpour and Beethoven – James Householder IV
March 29, 2010Posted in Concert Blog
Photos – Slatkin, Bates and Danielpour at Heinz Hall – Doug Bauman
February 20, 2010Posted in Concert Blog
Bruckner’s 7th and this weekend’s recording of Mahler’s 4th – Doug Bauman
January 27, 2010Posted in Concert Blog
PSO Preview, from Hoe-Down to an American in Paris – Doug Bauman
September 4, 2009Posted in Concert Blog
An Interview with Music Director Manfred Honeck – Doug Bauman
September 2, 2009Posted in Concert Blog
Carnegie Music Hall – Premier of Beethoven Oboe with full symphony – Doug Bauman
March 20, 2009Posted in Concert Blog
John Williams – “Air and Simple Gifts” this weekend at the PSO – Doug Bauman
January 20, 2009Posted in Concert Blog
Bliss with Biss and a full-day excursion on a mountain – Doug Bauman
November 2, 2008Posted in Concert Blog
The web site of the PSO is very informative, they offer such a wealth of information. Now I happened there recently, and found this nice introduction to the season:
The 2008-2009 Season marks the arrivals of Music Director Manfred Honeck and Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin, the return of some of the most talented guest conductors and soloists in the world, and concerts by the world-class musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!
I think perhaps I would have written this in the opposite order, leading with the ‘world-class musicians’ of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They are the main-stay of this orchestra.
g I suppose there are so many folks, in this great wide world, who are drawn into beauty using star power. Now don’t get me wrong, star attraction is all well, fine and dandy. But I, however, appreciate the heart and soul of beauty, the pieces of the puzzle, the cogs and gears that when combined in an exquisite combination of pure artistic talent amalgamation, form the true essence of the power behind the music. The Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra is indeed an entity made up of the whole of all the ‘world-class musicians’ who play for the orchestra, who are part of the orchestra, who comprise the orchestra. They of course need their leader, the maestro who conducts, to not only lend that star power, in the form of Manfred Honeck, our new music director, and Leonard Slatkin (one of my personal favorites), and often a star performer in the form of a soloist for the various concertos of that form and variety of music, but this is perhaps a bit of a facade on top of the true star, each of the musicians, the players.
I personally come to see the players. I enjoy the music and watch each of them play. These musicians offer, to me, the draw power. If they had no conductor or soloist, I’d be there. The drama, therefore, for perhaps most people, is the contrast and interaction between the players and the conductor or the soloist. Well let’s just agree that they all play a role, and so does the audience, we are there to hear and enjoy. I look forward to a beautiful season.
Thanks to the PSO for inviting me to write for their upcoming season!
