We had free lawn tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Music Center and since one couldn’t ask for nicer weather I of course went. Sara was too tired, having had a full day already, and by this point it was too late to get another date for the night so I went alone.
I found a great spot to camp out at. Not far from me was some people who brought a whole table with them and had it fully setup… short 1 foot high table, but a table none the less. I was dead center to the stage, with the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream stand to my one side.
Parking ended up not as bad as I originally thought, though I was in the grass, it was a 10 minute fast walk, perhaps 15 minute regular walk. I was on the freeway in another 15 to 20 minutes.
On the program today, we had guest conductor, Jahja Ling conducting the Cleveland Orchestra in Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Opus 83, with Peter Serkin as the piano soloist. I enjoyed this piece, especially what I would think was the second movement…The fourth movement I have to admit was a bit slow for me and I found my mind wondering.
A small intermission and then it was onto Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67 which of course has perhaps the most recognizable opening of any classical piece to those who don’t listen to much classical anyhow. I of course recognized the familiar “ta-ta-ta-TA” and most of what I would guess is the first movement, however, the next three movements all seemed to meld into one or two in my ears, perhaps this is just the way Ling conducted it, or the way it is written, I don’t know.
We’ll probably go one more time. Right now I am leaning to the “Zinman Conducts” night where we’ll get a few pieces, including a violin concerto and the “Enigma” Variations… I am not familiar with any of them… at least that I know of.