2010.2.10. River Why

Book It Repetory Theatre presents James Duncan's novel River Why. A coming of age story of a fishing maniac in Poland area. Quite poetic. Almost no stage. Good acting. Certainly brought the story to life.

2010.2.7. Seattle Symphony musically speaking concert.

Busoni: Suite from Turandot, Op. 41.
Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”

My first time to this series. Gerard Schwarz spent 15 minutes on each piece, pointing out the musical phrases and imagery it's trying to convey, as well as some historical background of the composer. Educational to non musically trained people like me. 2nd movement of Schumann's No. 3 is very fitting for its title: pretty and flowing.

2010.2.5. The Sleeping Beauty by PNB

Music:        Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Op. 66, 1889)
Choreography:      Ronald Hynd (after Marius Petipa)
Staging:           Ronald Hynd, Annette Page, and Amanda Eyles
Scenic and Costume Design: Peter Docherty
Lighting Design:   Randall G. Chiarelli
Duration:          3 hours
Original Premiere: 1/15/1890; Imperial Ballet, St. Petersburg, choreography by Marius Petipa
Hynd Production Premiere: 1993; English National Ballet
Aurora:            Mara Vinson
Prince Lucien:     Seth Orza 
Lilac Fairy:       Carrie Imler 
Carabosse:         Jonathan Porretta

Sumptuous costumes and stage set. A big production: close to 100 dancers. Our Aurora is not pretty, but her pose is very stable. Our Lilac fairy can loose 10lb if not more. The cat dance is fun. The kids are cute. 3 intermissions: too long.

2010.1.9. Kurt Masur conducts Seattle Symphony

Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor
Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major.

I fell asleep during Mozart. Bruckner's is more interesting: very powerful, maybe due to Kurt Masur's direction. He doesn't use any scores. First time I saw the orchestra layout changed.

After the concert, Masur spoke for about 20 minutes in the lobby, answering questions from the audience and musicians. Of course the audience lauded him wholeheartedly for his musicality and for his effort of keeping peace during the Leipzig demonstration in 1989. He was pretty modest but did venture some details of this pivotal event. Masur spoke highly of his wife, who's present, (that had no relation to any questions asked), Schwarz, and Seattle. He talked about the importance of keeping the spirit and music making in communities and youth programs. However, he mentioned about China having 4 million kids studying piano as an argument of western youth needs to up their music training, which seems in disharmony of his preaching of cultivating the love of art. As an 83 year old, he appears very energetic, lucid and eloquent.
Overall, one of the most memorable concerts in Seattle Symphony's history.

2009.12.31. Ring the new year with Seattle Symphony

Benaroya Hall, a salsa band, paper hats, a glass of sparkling wine, and Schwarz's countdown (after the concert).

Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Amanda Pabyan, soprano
Kathryn Weld, mezzo-soprano
Jason Collins, tenor
Charles Robert Austin, bass-baritone
Seattle Symphony Chorale

Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes, Opp. 52 & 65
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, “Choral”