Questions prompted by the NY Philharmonic opening concert?

[barnowl]

1. What did you think of the orchestra's rendering of the Eroica?

I thought it was kind of ponderous, disconnected, dull. There are too many old goats in that orchestra. (I'm an old goat, so I can say such things.) The whole thing sounded tired, which is sad because that symphony was my first (and beloved) introduction to Beethoven. It is still as inspiring as ever - except for tonight.

2. How is Loren Maazdel (spelling?) esteemed by the orchestra?

He didn't seem to like the tympanist too much - based on the swipe he took at the guy.

3. How is Maazdel regarded by other conductors?

Just curious. I have no idea.

4. The blond violinist asked Maazdel a question in the rehearsal segment. Was it a legitimate question or was she jockeying for a little TV time?

It seemed to be centered on a matter of bowing which, in my mind, should have been ironed out a long time ago, not in an 11th hour rehearsal.

5. How much mobility is there in a symphony orchestra?

Are the younger third violinists, for example, expected to improve and thus move up to second and first positions, while the older coots move in the other direction?

6.Those people who play the bassoon!

The way they overlap the upper lip atop the lower one, puts them in a pose that, if they were kids, mothers I have known would have told them, "You keep making faces like that and God will freeze it!!"   

7. Did you enjoy the Mozart piano concerto?

I did and it seemed so familiar, that I wonder if Mozart took motifs from other of his works and plugged them into this concerto - or vice versa?

Please feel free to answer as many as you feel you want to bother with.

[richy321]

Just a couple of points:

The performance of the Eroica was obviously intended to commemorate 9/11 and as such was given a somber interpretation.  I liked it that way even without the 9/11 connection.

Maazel is reported to be very popular with the players.  He is very adroit in flattering the players egos (the NY Phil has always been known to be a collection of prima donnas) from the day he was appointed and it has worked beautifully.

The visual impression of the second half (Eroica) was that it was knowingly showcasing the new principal oboeist, a very young-looking  man:  Liang Wang.  He was superb, so all that exposure was justified.

Rich Y

[netzow]

The thing about that performance that excited me most was the fact that bolth pianists were useing thumb over fingering. I know it sounds wierd but that just made my day . 

[barnowl]

The thing about that performance that excited me most was the fact that bolth pianists were useing thumb over fingering. I know it sounds wierd but that just made my day . 

Well that's exciting!!  THUMB OVER FINGERING, you say!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still have the concert saved on my DVR. I'll have to watch Emanuel and Yefim once again.
I hope C.C. Chang was watching.

Only kidding, Netzow. I didn't look for TO during the live show, but I will when I watch the recording.

[steve_m]

I'm going to their concert Saturday.  Shostakovich 5th and first Cello Concerto. It should be cool.

[netzow]

Neat. The only problem is they don't show it on TV and I can't go to new york

[bench warmer]

  There are too many old goats in that orchestra. (I'm an old goat, so I can say such things.) 
 

Nothing wrong about being an Old Goat as long as your Horns haven't shrivelled-up or fallen off! 

[barnowl]

Agreed.