I'm Here, I'm Dancing on the Ground

Mar 03, 2013 22:03

When I was in college, I worked as a DJ at a classical music station.  It was an awesome job, as I could do my homework in between pieces, which were often quite long.  I became familiar with the various soloists and performing groups.  Today I got a chance to hear one of these groups live!


The beautiful Soka Performing Arts Center hosted Academy of St Martin in the Fields this afternoon.  They don't allow cameras or recording devices, but they don't prohibit pen and ink, so here's my sketch, done during the opening performance of Benjamin Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10.  It took me the entirety of the piece to do the sketch.  I could feel people watching me draw, which gave me a tiny bit of performance anxiety, but I kept telling myself that they were strangers and it didn't matter if they liked my drawing.



After this piece, Alisa Weilerstein joined in as solo cellist performing Hadyn's Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major.  She was very...expressive, and technically flawless.



During intermission, an older gentlemen complimented my sketches as he walked past.  "I couldn't take my eyes from your drawing!" he said.  I was both creeped out and flattered.

After intermission Inon Barnata joined the group to perform the Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor.  Although the piece sparkled perfectly, it left me a bit cold.  I thought I picked up on a bit of tension between the soloist and the concert master, also.  I couldn't see Barnata well from my seat (the Stein was in the Way), so no sketch of him.

The final work was Haydn's "Farewell" Symphony, so named because during the final movement, the musicians slowly stand up and walk offstage, until eventually only two violins duet to the finish.  The entire piece is played standing (except by the cellos).  I wish I hadn't read the program notes.  It would have been amusing to be surprised by the defection of the musicians.  :)

music art "1000 paintings"

Previous post Next post
Up