Finally got to hear the NYPO

ttf_blast · Post by **ttf_blast** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 12:55 pm

Well, we are over in MA seeing our son, daughter in law and her family. Two days ago we hit the Big Apple and were lucky enough to catch the NYPO in their home venue. Our old friend Bramwell Tovey was conducting them so we got to sit in the conductor's box and get to see some backstage historic materials not open to the public. The NYPO staff were very kind and helpful. The program was the overture to the Bartered Bride by Smetena, Bartok's second piano concerto and Mussorgsky/Ravel 'Pictures at an Exhibition '.
The orchestra was everthing we expected and more. The strings are so powerful and virtuosic whilst the brass were true to their reputation for power and richness of tone. A thrilling experience.

Chris Stearn

ttf_TriJim · Post by **ttf_TriJim** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 1:05 pm

Hope you caught their live broadcast, 'Leonard Bernstein tribute,' on PBS last evening. Wished they would play 'Make Our Garden Grow' and they did not disappoint.

Where did Mr. Alessi go at intermission?

ttf_blast · Post by **ttf_blast** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 1:49 pm

Bram was really looking forward to conducting last night's concert. He greatly admires JA's playing.

Chris Stearn

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 1:54 pm

Big problem with Philharmonic Hall (or whatever they call it now; it was Avery Fisher last time I was there) is the awful acoustics. I know they worked on them. Are they any better?

I did catch the Bernstein concert on TV. Fantastic playing by the NY Phil.

ttf_blast · Post by **ttf_blast** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 2:07 pm

Quote from: BGuttman on Jan 01, 2018, 01:54PMBig problem with Philharmonic Hall (or whatever they call it now; it was Avery Fisher last time I was there) is the awful acoustics. I know they worked on them. Are they any better?

I did catch the Bernstein concert on TV. Fantastic playing by the NY Phil.

The hall acoustics are okay.. a little bass light and very analytical. Quite like the Festival hall in London. I could see why they have to make such big sounds in there.
Chris Stearn

ttf_bigbassbone1 · Post by **ttf_bigbassbone1** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 3:18 pm

I am very jealous! I am hoping to have an opportunity to her the NYP at some point while I am in America. In the last few months I have been lucky enough to hear of course the L.A. phil quite a bit, but other highlights were of course hearing Chicago symphony and the Israel Philharmonic. We are very lucky in L.A. to have so many great ensembles pass through disney hall! And I am spoilt living right across the street!

ttf_Rich C · Post by **ttf_Rich C** » Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:46 pm

QuoteWhere did Mr. Alessi go at intermission?
Was wondering that also. My memory might be failing me, but I seem to remember the same thing happened at last year's NYE performance.

ttf_Gabe Langfur · Post by **ttf_Gabe Langfur** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 5:54 am

Joe just took the 2nd half of the concert off (maybe to beat the traffic home?). Collin Williams is Associate Principal; he played the 2nd half. Morris Kainuma was subbing on tuba.

ttf_MikeBMiller · Post by **ttf_MikeBMiller** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:40 am

The bones and trumpets got a lot of good TV face time. Except for the 4th trumpet - his horn got on TV, but his face never did. I think the horn section got one shot the whole night. Good directing, if you ask me

Hearing that orchestra makes it tough to go back to playing in my community band.

ttf_sterb225 · Post by **ttf_sterb225** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 10:11 am

Chris - I think the weather (extra cold & dry) and the way they had the stage set in tiers contributed to the lean sound. I went last week to that same concert and had a similar thought about the brass. We are regulars in that hall and I was surprised by the sound last week.

ttf_sterb225 · Post by **ttf_sterb225** » Tue Jan 02, 2018 10:11 am

Chris - I think the weather (extra cold & dry) and the way they had the stage set in tiers contributed to the lean sound. I went last week to that same concert and had a similar thought about the brass. We are regulars in that hall and I was surprised by the sound last week.