You've heard what the composers have to say for themselves, now is your chance to tell us what you thought about the concert!
Below are a few questions to get the ball rolling...
-What surprised you most about the concert?
-Did you think that the three works on this program that utilized nontraditional media (electronics, film) made effective use of them?
-Which piece did you think was the most convincing? Why?
7 comments:
No big surprises with the concert. Similar to previous ACO concerts. I think the media was used effectively - it never overpowered the music. The last one... "Breakdown" incorporated video and music the best.
I was surprised by the satisfying balance of the pieces on the program. "Breakdown" was, and would be, a highlight in any program, and the use of electronics was beautifully integrated. All of the work was strong and convincing, although the mordant and dreamlike imagery used in "Breakdown" will be hard to shake.
I was surprised that the clarinet concerto did not make more use of the soloist's amazing abilities as a player and showcase them more. I thought that the Rand Steiger piece made the most effective use of the electronics. Pearls was the most convincing piece on the program - ACO does a wonderful job of giving opportunities to young composers.
What surprised me the most? That there was an orchestra. Seriously. Sonically, I think Breakdown used multimedia the best, but the film was AWFUL. Good politics but bad art. Stomp was jolly and easy to listen to. Cryosphere saved itself from banality with a strong last section. Resurrection was a tougher listen and I preferred the last section to the first. Pearls was simply beautiful.
I was most surprised by the variety of sound worlds and the enormity of each composer's orchestral palette - really inspiring for my own music! The electronics helped to enhance Cryosphere's sound world, but the film in "Breakdown" proved a bit distracting (and vice versa, for both had equally manic energy). I think either "Stomp (re-lit)" or "Cryosphere" was most convincing - both gave just what they promised in true what-you-see-is-what-you-get fashion.
The Steiger piece - beautiful! Also Derek Bermel and the fascinating Fang Man piece - those were the most surprising. The "nontraditional media" was more effective than I had anticipated - esp. Steiger, Brouwer/Kasumi. Great program!
Good concert... not as good as the Nov. concert (which was amazing!).
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