In commemoration of 9/11 the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed a program at the Hollywood Bowl tonight entitled "American Originals" -- featuring four musical pieces written by American composers.
Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring was described by Conductor Leonard Slatkin as the most appropriate piece of music he could think of to conduct on this date because it represents simple American music filled optimism.
Edgar Meyer's Double Bass Concerto was a bit of a snoozer, but I did enjoy watching Meyer play a giant fiddle.
Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee by Gunther Schuller was mildly entertaining. It features seven short musical pieces each based on a painting by Swiss modernist Paul Klee. As each piece began the corresponding Klee artwork was shown on the big screen.
Finally, George Gershwin's classic Rhapsody in Blue closed out the evening. Such a beautiful piece, reminding us of the hustle and bustle of America's urban centers in the 1920s. Michel Camilo pounded away beautifully on the concert grand piano wheeled out on the stage just for this portion of the show.
1 comment:
Ted, I'd give anything to see a show at the Hollywood Bowl, and to think you were there to hear my all-time favorite piece of music: Rhapsody in Blue. Wow! Nobody makes me more green with envy than you, Ted
Post a Comment