Out of all the events I have attended while in Manhattan it is safe to say that going to Carnegie hall for a symphony was what I was looking forward to the most. Music is an art form that I can appreciate and understand even if I don’t necessarily like it; which is not always the case for me with other mediums of art. But this makes me curious; can anyone not like or appreciate a good symphony performance?
I went to see the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; they performed Howard Hanson’s Merry Mount. Merry Mount, as described to me by my friend Thomas Mayes, is a wonderful symphony meets opera mash up. I was honestly mesmerized by this performance. I have seen community symphonies, and I have seen plenty of other live performances but this was entirely different. My senses where overwhelmed by the sound, sight and scent of Ricola . While the orchestra played the opera singers “acted” their parts of Merry Mount. There were also stage cues and the lyrics to the songs being projected on the back wall so the audience could follow the story. About mid way through the symphony a child choir began to sing, which was surprising. They were stationed on a balcony above and I had not noticed them until they actually started to sing. This provided an excellent aw factor the show. And even these children were the epitome of professionalism.
The acoustics at Carnegie are amazing, and rightfully so. I can honestly say that I don’t have a single aspect of this performance to complain about. From the moment I stepped into Carnegie I was swept off my feet, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra won me over.