Just some thoughts to share with any classical music enthusiasts.
Went to the Mahler 2nd concert tonight played by our SSO.
Didn't have much to expect walking into Esplanade, but as soon as I saw 7 double bases, 6 E-flat trumpets, 6 horns, 5 trombones and 2 sets of kettle drums, I knew I was into something good. Brass was really strong, almost over-powering the strings. Maybe due to where I was seated, I can't seem to be able to hear the orchestra as a whole. But there were 4 curtain calls, quite unusual for SSO. Thank God our cell phones were jammed (unless there's a replay of Moscow hostage), but there were still inconsiderate concert goers having their watch alarm going off, coming late resulting in extra long 1st movement to 2nd movement interval (although Mahler specifically threw in 5 minutes of silence to accommodate the transition of the powerful Allegro maestroso to the lively Andante). There were adults wearing T-shirts and jeans, and boys in Ts and shorts. Is that tolerable? Anyway, the attached picture holds no value and is quite illegal. Overall, it was an enjoyable concert, and I would say Lan Shui can do Mahler. But nothing compared to the Mahler 3rd concert I went to, Abbado conducting BPO.
Went to the Mahler 2nd concert tonight played by our SSO.
Didn't have much to expect walking into Esplanade, but as soon as I saw 7 double bases, 6 E-flat trumpets, 6 horns, 5 trombones and 2 sets of kettle drums, I knew I was into something good. Brass was really strong, almost over-powering the strings. Maybe due to where I was seated, I can't seem to be able to hear the orchestra as a whole. But there were 4 curtain calls, quite unusual for SSO. Thank God our cell phones were jammed (unless there's a replay of Moscow hostage), but there were still inconsiderate concert goers having their watch alarm going off, coming late resulting in extra long 1st movement to 2nd movement interval (although Mahler specifically threw in 5 minutes of silence to accommodate the transition of the powerful Allegro maestroso to the lively Andante). There were adults wearing T-shirts and jeans, and boys in Ts and shorts. Is that tolerable? Anyway, the attached picture holds no value and is quite illegal. Overall, it was an enjoyable concert, and I would say Lan Shui can do Mahler. But nothing compared to the Mahler 3rd concert I went to, Abbado conducting BPO.