went to a Vienna boy's choir show

[kensuguro]

Checked out the Vienna boy's choir show at carnegie hall yesterday. Pretty interesting, after talking about choir arrangements here on Z. I used to imagine the Vienna boys being like super human singers that could do out of this world things. Well, the reality is that they're a bunch of kids that can sing very good, and practice a lot. But they're not super human. They have very good pitch, but obviously not a much in the artistic expression department since I guess that comes with age and also personal involvement. My impression was that they got the music and practiced it like hell, that's it.

The choir as a whole had some interesting qualities tho. The show I went to, they were performing with just the choir (like 20 kids) and 1 piano played mostly by the teacher (choir master or whatever the heck he's called). Most often, you'd hear the piano, 2~3 falsettos, and then not much else. To me, the falsetto soprano guys were too heavily featured, and really drowned out everything else. I mean, I guess that sort of is the point? Since that's the the boys are known for. In terms of dynamics, it didn't seem like things were choreographed in detail. It was more like higher = louder, and lower = softer. Just natural dynamics. I think they're technically capable of executing more intricate dynamics, but there may be practical constraints in terms of practice time because they are an actual school. (so need time for other "normal" classes, and all the other things boys in boarding schools do)

But overall I liked it. It was fun. I can easily see that the boy's choir, along with the likes of the Trapp Family choir were seen as great entertainment back then because you do get good music, but with a more casual feel, and the occasional comical moments. It appeals to a much wider audience, compared to the hardcore classical concerts where you'd get a assassinated with a condescending frown if you coughed at the wrong moment. I mean, that sucks.. at the very least, I know that's not how I'd want my music to be consumed.

[Mr Arkadin]

It appeals to a much wider audience, compared to the hardcore classical concerts where you'd get a assassinated with a condescending frown if you coughed at the wrong moment.

Sorry to disagree with you ken, but I'm one of those who hate coughers at classical concerts. How is it that one can go all day without a single cough, but stick them in a concert hall and they suddenly become a cough-monster? Why? I was at a live concert of Philip Glass' second violin concerto and a woman was coughing all the fucking way through and this was going to be recorded for Radio 3 broadcast and was eventually used for the CD release. Luckily it seems they had isolated mics for the CD release as you can't hear the audience on that (but you could in the Radio 3 broadcast). If you really can't control it woman get the fuck out of the concert hall and gt a glass of water! Jeez!

I also hate the current trend for people to talk all over a band when they're doing a quieter song. If you want a chat to your mate just fuck off to the pub and let the rest of us who actually came to see the band and not listen to you get on with enjoying the gig! Just feels like there's so little respect for artists already by torrenting their music, and you're going to fucking chat through all their art too!

I'm quite an angry person.

If you want to hear mind-blowing choral stuff go to a church and see Tallis' Spem in alium.

[kensuguro]

Sorry to disagree with you ken, but I'm one of those who hate coughers at classical concerts. How is it that one can go all day without a single cough, but stick them in a concert hall and they suddenly become a cough-monster? Why? I was at a live concert of Philip Glass' second violin concerto and a woman was coughing all the fucking way through and this was going to be recorded for Radio 3 broadcast and was eventually used for the CD release. Luckily it seems they had isolated mics for the CD release as you can't hear the audience on that (but you could in the Radio 3 broadcast). If you really can't control it woman get the fuck out of the concert hall and gt a glass of water! Jeez!

I also hate the current trend for people to talk all over a band when they're doing a quieter song. If you want a chat to your mate just fuck off to the pub and let the rest of us who actually came to see the band and not listen to you get on with enjoying the gig! Just feels like there's so little respect for artists already by torrenting their music, and you're going to fucking chat through all their art too!

I'm quite an angry person.

Well, that's sort of extreme.. ya, coughing throughout is a distraction. I don't think a cough here and there's a problem though some classic fan would glare at every single cough. And the band thing too.. your example I'd consider disrespectful to the performers and audience. If I were performing, I'd tell the audience to shut the fuck up. I do think that in the classic audience, there's more snobbism than any other genre.. So, it's sad that classic concerts become more associated with that (dealing with snobbish audience), rather than a way to enjoy great music.

[Mr Arkadin]

So, it's sad that classic concerts become more associated with that (dealing with snobbish audience), rather than a way to enjoy great music.

Certainly not that problem at the Philip Glass gig on Saturday in an absolutely sublime venue:

[Nestor]

This one could help



Seriously, I think it is a problem, but you cannot make a rule out of it. It all depends on the person. You may find sometimes someone who does not care at all about making noises, and sometimes there are people who love very much the show and music and cannot afford not to go even been sick. I have seen them all, even some eating something while a “pianissimo” was going on, making crackles of all sorts with her plastic bag… Everyone was very angry at her when the lights came back. It was an embarrassing situation for her… So the problem is when there is a lack of respect to the music like with this woman I'm talking about.

[Mr Arkadin]

I have seen them all, even some eating something while a “pianissimo” was going on, making crackles of all sorts with her plastic bag… Everyone was very angry at her when the lights came back. It was an embarrassing situation for her… So the problem is when there is a lack of respect to the music like with this woman I'm talking about.

I mean seriously, you can't go without food for 45 minutes?! It amazes me how oblivious some people are to as to how loud they are. At least there are announcements for everyone to switch of their bloody phones these days.

Mind you, I never understood why when going to see a film people stock up on huge barrel of a drink (labelled 'regular' for some reason), popcorn, sweets and hotdogs - I mean you're going to see a film for 90 minutes ffs, not be stranded in a remote forest for the next three days!