I went to the symphony today

[Dave (imported)]

Scott Eyerly -- Arlington Sons

William Schuman -- Symphony No. 3

Serge Rachmaninoff -- Piano Concerto No. 3

Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin,

Piano == Olga Kern playing Rachmaninoff's virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 3, a piece she performed at the 11th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. And I got o say hello when I went to buy vanilla bean scones at Starbucks and she was there with the PSO Viollist Mikhail Istomin... Rachmaninoff fills the house. The audience loves R#3

The Third Symphony by William Schuman I liked. It's like two juggernauts - one in C-major the other in C-minor having battle with each other.

Scott Eyerly’s Arlington Sons (for bass-baritone and boy soprano) depicts a father and son visiting Arlington Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It is believed to be the first vocal piece written for a father and son. Mr. Pittsinger commissioned it for his own son who sang. The kid is only 13 and stood onstage with one of the best orchestras and sang like he'd done it everyday of his life. The piece was sweet and moving.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I went to McDonalds today.

Seriously, in my own case I have found that lack of appreciation on my part is often due to some genetic failing of my body. I am not a foodie because I just cannot taste the fine differences that they go on and on about. I have a tin ear and cannot sing. Maybe I like C & W because of the words and stories within a tiny percent of the songs resonate for me and I can appreciate words but not the fine details of sounds. I know from flying that there are guys who can spot another plane long before me and from work that there are people who can spot nuances of color that I just cannot see. Is there such a thing as partial color blindness?

I am glad you have your gift to enjoy, Dave.

[Dave (imported)]

That was unkind.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

On re-reading it with your post, I could see how someone might read it as a cut. Now, re-read it as I meant it.

I can tell that other people appreciate things that I just cannot. Thru time I have begun to appreciate that we all have our gifts. I have mine, but detecting nuances of taste, color and sound are not among them. Sometimes I envy people with those talents, but other times not because the world is a lot more full of McDs than five star restaurants and it is just easier going with the mundane, especially if the senses are calibrated for the mundane.

I literally meant it that I am glad you have your gift of appreciating that music and that you enjoy the experience.

[bobover3 (imported)]

Sounds like a fine concert. Music can only really be appreciated by those who hear it, and no two performances are exactly alike, so written descriptions of concerts can only go so far. I sometimes glance at reviews in the NY Times or New Yorker, but it's always of a concert already gone.

The Rach 3 became very popular after it was featured in a movie some years back - "Shine." I have a recording with Rachmaninoff playing the piano.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I think A-1 would also enjoy it - although I hardly need to speak for him. Can all of you guys hear the difference between digital and analog/live music? I have talked to people who give me this weird look like I was the village idiot because I can not really tell the difference.

[Dave (imported)]

They filled Heinz Hall to standing room thanks to the Rachmaninoff 3.

Rachmaninoff always packs the house.

[bobover3 (imported)]

I've never been able to tell

the difference between digital and analog

recordings. Maybe some new recordings are just less carefully made - anything can be poorly done.

I'm glad you can still get turntables and other analog gear, since I have my old LPs, many of which I cherish and hope to hear again.

[Paolo]

Digital music is not the same. Just listen to any Pink Floyd on a good system off of clean vinyl or good tape vs. a CD.

Or worse yet, a compressed MP3 file. Urgh...

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

I used to be able to hear very small differences between sounds, but years of working in engine rooms pretty well ended that. --FLO--