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Last night I went to see the Spokane Symphony and guest artist Valentina
Lisitsa doing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 — the famous "Rack 2."
Most of the experience was pretty much inexpressible. But I wanted to make
a few minor notes here on some details of the concert.
The venue was the Fox Woldson Theater in downtown Spokane. I had
been in the place before its conversion, back when it was simply the Fox
movie theater. But I had never been in it since it has become the home
of the Spokane Symphony. It is a beautiful place.
I had my ticket for the concert since last September. Thus I knew across
the months that I had a 4th row center seat. I figured it would be close
to the stage. But never having been in the new hall I didn't realize
exactly how close until I actually found my seat and, during the first
musical break, they rolled out the big Steinway concert grand. I was
close enough to Valentina last night that I probably could have wadded
up a piece of paper and thrown it and hit her shoulder — maybe about
18 feet. And of course I was even closer to the side of the big Steinway.
It was more the experience of being in a piano bar than a concert hall.
The piano part in the Rack 2 is often submerged into the orchestra. But
being so close I could make out virtually every note even in those sections.
And when Valentina hit that big double forte chord in the treble in the
slow movement I think I nearly jumped out of my seat — it sounded like
an explosion going off.
Lisitsa was wearing a strapless watermelon colored gown. And when her
right foot moved occasionally back from the pedals I could see that she
was wearing a pair of sparkly silver sandal-type high heels. Her demeanor
at the keyboard is what you see in her videos, much like that of Rubinstein
and Horowitz — once at the keyboard masters of the universe. Valentina
— my Queen.
Spokane is a small town and I was a bit worried that the local audience
would be what they call a "cold" audience. But I was glad to find that
they were very appreciative of her. She received a very vociferous standing
ovation and 3 call-backs. At which point, as is her habit if she gets a
good reception, she did a solo encore. Sitting down on the stool she leaned
toward the audience. "Would you like fast, or slow?" she joked. Then she
launched into the Rachmaninoff Etude Op. 39 No. 6, nicknamed "Little Red
Riding Hood" for reasons that are unknown to me.
Taking photos was prohibited in the hall. Ordinarily that wouldn't have
been much of a problem — turning off flash and shutter sound it would
have been tough to see me take a photo in the dark of a theater. But in
this regard being so close to the stage worked against me. With the
lights from the stage and the arc of ceiling lights extending from it on
the ceiling it was as if I were in broad daylight. And then there was
the fact that being so close I didn't want to do anything that might
remotely disturb Valentina at her playing. As it was the only photo I
have from last night is one of the marquee at the Fox Woldson taken
with my cell cam. And I was surprised I got even that one due to the
scrolling of the electronic text.
It being the end of the month I was dead broke. I wasn't too sure if I
could make the walk downtown given the way I've been feeling lately, but
there was no way in hell I was going to miss Valentina. I had my tiny
bottle of nitroglycerine tablets in my pocket. And I had my Blackberry
in case of a real emergency.
So I walked it. As I walked my mind drifted, back to the 18th century
and the period of Rameau — a time which has been on my mind a lot lately.
And it occurred to me that if I had lived back then that I probably wouldn't
have been the type of person who could have afforded a fancy carriage.
Or who could even have afforded a horse. If I had wanted to see the opera
I would have walked it. Somehow in some way that gave me comfort. Let
others drive their fancy cars and buy their $5.75 glasses of wine at the
hall. "Moi, je suis avec les Ramistes" — the faithful, if sometimes rather
poor, followers.
So I walked. All by myself. In the dark. In the cold.
It was wonderful.
SUPPLEMENT:The pre-concert photo.The program.I. ANTON ARENSKYVariations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky, Op. 35a.II. SERGEI RACHMANINOFFConcerto No. 2 in C minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 18.(intermission)III. PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKYSymphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36.
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
I saw it today. Not bad at all :up:
"felt like an ending of a good movie, right?"You know I figured before the concert that afterward I would be in such a keyed-up state afterward that I wouldn't be able to sleep. But in fact I was so tired when I turned the key that I went to bed within an hour and slept. This morning, when I woke up, was when it all hit me. And my brain started racing with the memory of it.Speaking of movies, I still want to see Shutter Island. Maybe I'll get to go this month.
I am so glad you had one more night to remember. And walking home after all of it was over, felt like an ending of a good movie, right?Being broke, it just doesn`t matter that much 🙂
Okay! :up:
Pretty good, I wanted to say :doh: But we will discuss when you see it.
I am so glad you enjoyed Valentina as much as you did the anticipation. so maybe that seat was a mixed blessing? Wish you could have taken pictures, but oh, well….And the walk home probably did you good, although it's bad that you were that broke. I know the feeling. I am broke too, and I don't get my check for several more days. Been broke by the end of the month ever since Obama's freeze. Damn him.
Great! By not bad you mean….good? 😆
Not a walk I think I could do every day, but I agree that it is good to do it every once in a while. I'm thinking about doing it again next weekend. :yes:Wish you could have been there Linda. I know you would have appreciated it.
PSI am about to take the fish out of the oven,dinner time…. :bye: till later! 🙂
PSread head kids are pretty! :heart:
it was a great night ….I am surprised Sasha was all kisses,usually pets feel they own us!any redhead in the audience???
"any redhead in the audience???Funny you should ask that. I was sitting in the lobby before the concert doing some Comments on the Blackberry and this group of people passed by, a couple with two little girls — twins, with long thick red hair. I looked at them as they passed by. Then about 5 minutes later they passed by in the other direction. Those redheaded little girl twins — it was like something from The Shining.
wow Eddie! what a great night you had! I am so glad you chose to enjoy the concert and invested on the ticket!sometimes a treat like this is worth like having 5 cheesecakes! 😀 Walking back was kinda of risky… I am glad it helped you sleep however till the weather changes please be careful! So tell me, what Mrs Piercy say when you came back? was she all questions? did Sasha give you the "cold shoulder" for leaving her alone for so long? I think after having a beer or two tonight you will feel even better! :up:PSI had to visit you Blog before dinner…I had to know 🙂
"I had to visit you Blog before dinner…"A good appetizer improves the meal!Mom was just glad that I had gotten home okay and was tired after taking care of Sasha all evening so she went to bed. Sasha was all piggly wiggly and glad to see me. And I did play squeaky bone with her for a while. No beer. Next "good stuff" will be Wednesday. Thai noodles, hopefully.
Thanks for your support! :lol:Hon you'd better go off and eat dinner else you won't get any cheesecake!
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
REDRUM!!!! :yikes:
Welcome, Dirk. Missed you being around but on the other hand wasn't that worried about it either. I regret not having photos. But as you say they are somewhere lodged in my brain. And in a way, like the walk there and back, other things lodged in my brain echoed along with Lisitsa and the music, other music, other concert halls across the long way….Have a great week. 🙂
Really! Luckily, mostly really good things happened after their passing. 🙂
:yes: Edward, I remember asking whether you got a ticket for this night … :eyes: WOW :eyes: I'm really glad you made it and could enjoy this special event :up: … unforgettable … and in a way I'm glad you couldn't take any pictures there, not to be misunderstood, but I think not everything is said or preserved in pictures or photographs … it's your memory and it is something of your own and only you can give an expression of so others can imagine … … haven't been around so much lately, hm … a little busy, lazy and worried … but I had a notice in my filofax about this evening … cherish the memory :up:
I am absolutely sure I would have enjoyed the entire performance, Edward. And so happy that you got to got to this event. Even if you did have to walk home. And play Squeaky Bone—-what could be a better night?As far as your ex—-hmmmmm, I get the idea you don't much like her. 😆 :rip:
:up: … I will try to have an excellent week, Ed … there'll be more time to be on my.opera … not so busy anymore, and scheduled better, I think :left: … I guess the walk will be one of the unforgettable ones and makes the memory completed … 😀
Ben dicosta writes:Thanks for making my morning a little bit better with this great ceiling light article.
My pleasure, Ben!