Friday, February 12, 2010

Sound Off! Orchestra Underground: Conversations

I know you've been waiting for it... Now is your chance to tell us what you thought about the concert!

 
(Photo: Next Atlantis by Sebastian Currier, video by Pawel Wojtasik)

Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling...

- What surprised you most about the concert?
- What do you think about the incorporation of video in Next Atlantis?

- Which piece did you enjoy the most? Why?

See what other people are saying and let us know what you think!

(By the way, if you filled out a SoundAdvice survey at the concert, look for your answers in the comments section!)

28 comments:

American Composers Orchestra said...

Papoj T. said that "The last piece - Conversations with Cachao - is just the most kicking-ass piece!" Papoj also thought that the video was "kinda good for visualization."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Michael M. from Collegeville, PA came to the concert with a friend, and was most surprised by "seeing video with live musicians." He also thought that the video was "very emotional" and added a nice touch to the piece.

American Composers Orchestra said...

Lisa DiLillo loved "Paquito's composition," and was surprised by "the refreshing music and performance of Paquito D'Rivera." As for 'Next Atlantis'? She thought the collaboration "worked stupendously; a perfect marriage of image and music."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Mary G. was surprised by three things at the concert: "1) A wonderful mix of ages in the audience, 2) How well the music and video in the Currier piece complimented each other and 3) The NEW sounds both the composer and the audience seemed to experience (and enjoy) in the Zare piece. And he is so young!"

Mary also said that she "usually doesn't like the addition of video, but this time it really worked - music and video went together and added to each other beautifully." She said that she "really loved all three pieces, but perhaps Paquito's the most, because of the fabulous combination of humor and energy that just poured out of him - and the bassist AND the whole orchestra - all over us in the audience. Great!! Thank you!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

Anonymous said of the video integration: "Lovely! More of THIS. It makes it accessible." They also said that they most enjoyed Conversations with Cachao "because Latin music is awesome!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

Marian E. loved the incorporation of video in Sebastian Currier's piece, and noted that it is "a must! They are part of the same work/concept."

American Composers Orchestra said...

We heard from Becca P. that she was surprised how much she liked the concert, and that she loved the video integration in Next Atlantis. She said of the video: "Beautiful colors at first and then I realized: NEW ORLEANS!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

"I loved it all!"
"Yes!"
"Paquito - it SWINGS!"

From Greta B. in New York City.

American Composers Orchestra said...

Robin R. thought "all of the works were of high quality in composition and performance. Very impressive!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

"I was most surprised by the interaction of Paquito D'Rivera with the audience - very charming. Also, the diversity of the audience - that's GREAT!" said Peggy D. of Scarsdale. She also said that she "loved the mixed media. I am so glad that you offer a different perspective on music."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Anonymous from New Jersey was "not surprised - grateful to hear the ACO ensemble traverse sonorities. Gorgeous!" They also thought that Currier's work was "seamless. It worked best of any multimedia yet."

American Composers Orchestra said...

"I was most surprised by the use of video in Next Atlantis. It was a fantastic experience; groundbreaking in definition of relationship between music and video. Fantastic!" - Olga S. in NYC.

American Composers Orchestra said...

We got a great comment from Sue S. of Princeton, New Jersey. "Not so surprised as interested to see/hear several sides of Derek Bermel at ACO this year and last year performing on clarinet and planning performances. Also, as a musician in residence at Institute for Advanced Studies [in Princeton]. This year's concerts show an unusual variety of musicianship and encouragement of colleagues." Sue also thought that the video integration was "seamless but provocative of personal experience - like a dream."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Peter E. of Astoria was not surprised by the concert, as he is "familiar with the type of collaborations that ACO does (Paquito tonight, Fred Ho previously)."

Peter said of the video integration: "As an idea it's fine, but in this case it was very boring. Zankel has incredible technical capabilities (video, sound, light) and I think that in general there should be works programmed that take fuller advantage and in a more imaginative way. That said, the sort of mini-documentary that preceded the concerto was actually really fun and informative. More stuff like that, less screensaver-type 'collaborations.'"

American Composers Orchestra said...

Pakorn S. from Columbia University was most surprised by the "[Conversations with Cachao] where the composer played such a gorgeous song. It lightened the mood which was created by Next Atlantis." Pakorn thought the video "aids the piece a great deal. The sadness and loneliness is intensified by the visual, however it creates such a beautiful serenity at the same time."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Stan W. was surprised that the concert "was good - that's unusual!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

"There is always something new to discover, and there are so many contemporary composers pushing the boundaries of musical expression."

"I most enjoyed the Zare - very interesting and original. D'Rivera piece was lively, but musically incoherent. Sounded like Desi Arnaz in 1958. But everything was better than last year's Terry Riley piece."
- Russell D. from Scarsdale, NY

American Composers Orchestra said...

Raktapa P. from Columbia University was surprised by "the physical movement in the last part of the concert."

American Composers Orchestra said...

We heard from Shayna Z. that "Each portion of the program was eloquently presented in a very fluid manner - going from sounds representing imagery left to the viewer to interpret, to sounds that supported an impactful filmed depiction of the devastation to New Orleans, to a reflection of the history behind the devastation in an almost romanticized tone. Excellent program! Robert Black is especially sensational!! Paquito D'Rivera is an absolute delight! Keep bringing on the surprises!"

American Composers Orchestra said...

"I am completely in love with [the video], and I secretly wish Time Lapsse also had a video of time lapse photography! Not only is it extremely effective, but the music comes to life in a new and surprising way, creating a much more intimate relationship with the music and the listener. I hope to see more!"

"I think the original compositions [surprised me most]. I expected something new, but it was more engaging, emotional, and powerful than expected."

- Jamie S. from NYC

American Composers Orchestra said...

Paul M. thought the size of the orchestra was most surprising, and thought that the video was "OK, but images mean different things to each person."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Janice D. was most surprised by the lack of hanging cymbals! She thought the video was a "great idea, but an oddly placed bright light interfered."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Elizabeth D. loved the "softness of the sound", and thought that the Currier/Wojtasik collaboration was "wonderful."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Maria O. was surprised to see a female conductor and the use of film in the Currier. As for Paquito's piece: "Love the mix of new and old talent."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Harry was most surprised by "the very talented Mr. Zare!" and thought that "Paquito is great fun, but Zare is impressive." Harry also thought that the video in the Currier was more interesting than the music itself.

American Composers Orchestra said...

We heard from Brian H. that "the conductor's time-keeping baton distracted me a bit in the Zare piece," but thought that Next Atlantis was "very interesting." He also said of the D'Rivera: "lively, warm and fun."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Gisa H. of Brooklyn enjoyed Time Lapse the most, saying it "felt really special, new sounds."

American Composers Orchestra said...

Axel S. said of the video in Next Atlantis "Great great great - it makes music less abstract." Axel was also surprised by "how wonderful the band is" and said about Conversations with Cachao: "I LOVE Paquito! I LOVE Cachao!"