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Tag Archives: Classical Music

Classical Disruption ~ Flash mob symphony

22 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Classical, Music, Shakespeare

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Tags

Berkeley College of Music, Berkeley Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, Boston, Central Park, classical disruption, Classical Music, flash mob, Gustav Holst, Julius Caesar, Jupiter, MA, New York City, Prudential Center, Shakespeare, Shakespeare in the Park, The Planets

Classic — Something of lasting worth, judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.

But is being of the highest quality enough for an art form to endure centuries, being woven through the fabric of ever-changing modern cultures? I think not. There also must be a transmutable quality that allows for adaptation again and again, so it can be made new without sacrificing quality or substance.

Disruptive transformation

The only constant is change. Without change, there’s stagnation. Presenting an art form in an incongruous manner infuses it with new life, fueling the appreciation of a broader audience.

Berkeley Contemporary Symphony Orchestra

Such is the effect of flash mob symphony. It turns a staid perception of traditional classical music on end—same great music with a fresh new image. An impromptu concert in an unexpected public setting makes the music accessible to the general masses in a provocatively inviting way.

Shakespeare’s plays have been known to disrupt classic expectations too. Such as the recent Trump-like Caesar in New York City’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar.

Flash mob symphony

The Berkeley Contemporary Symphony Orchestra took jollity to the streets—the Prudential Center, Boston, MA, to be exact—with a spontaneous performance of Jupiter, from Gustav Holst’s The Planets. As you watch the video, look for the smiles on the faces of the musicians as well as the crowd, delighting in the beauty of the moment.



Making Magic Out of Life’s Predicaments

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Inspiration, Music

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Benjamin Zander, Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Classical Music, flash mob, musical magic, orchestra, unfortunate events, Youth Orchestra

Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

I love it when people take an irritating predicament and turn it into a moment of pure magic.

Most of us have been stranded in an airport at least once. For the members of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra the experience was no different…except in how they handled the inconvenience. No moaning, pouting, or complaining. They turned an unpleasant situation into a joyful encounter for all. I hope their solution to an unfortunate event makes you smile too.

What happens when an orchestra is stranded at an airport?


Joshua Bell ~ Incognito Busker to Subway Station Superstar

13 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Classical, Inspiration, Music

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

busker, busking, Classical Music, Education Through Music, Elizabeth Fais, ETM, Gene Weingarten, HBO, Joshua Bell, PBS NewsHour, Union Station, Washington DC, Washington Post, Young Arts Master Class

Even if you’re not into classical music, you’ve probably heard of Joshua Bell. Meg Cabot mentions him in her Princess Diaries series and Vanished series. Or maybe you heard about that guy—the famous musician who played in a train station and no one noticed him. That Guy, was Joshua Bell.

The Urban Legend That Isn’t a Legend

In 2007, Joshua Bell posed as a common busker in a Washington D.C. metro station bell.joshua2012(during morning rush hour) as part of an experiment initiated by Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post. Only seven people, out of thousands, stopped to listen to him. Only one person recognized him. ONE. You can read the full story here.

Since then, Joshua Bell became known as “that guy” who played in a train station. Some people actually told him the story about that guy, not realizing he was that guy. He commented on Twitter that he felt he was in danger of being best known (in his career) as that-guy-who-played-in-the-train-station, and his tombstone would read: “Here he is, underground again.”

The Encore that Packed the Train Station

Union Station Washington DCA cavernous train station is not the usual venue for a classical music superstar. Joshua Bell has played in all the major concert halls around the world. So why would he want to go back to a train station where he was blatantly ignored in 2007?

You can let a situation define you, or you change the situation to reinvent the definition.

That’s just what Joshua Bell did. On September 30, 2014, Joshua Bell turned the tables on DC’s Union Station and created a the ultimate public experience for classical music. This time, his performance at DC’s Union Station was highly publicized and people came out in droves. People who knew the story, but may not have known anything about classical music, packed the gigantic space, pressed shoulder to shoulder, 1500 strong. [image: morguefile.com]

Joshua Bell Encore Concert at Union Station Washington DC Sept 30, 2014

Joshua Bell played the same music he did as an incognito busker (2007), except this time he held a capacity crowd spellbound. You can listen to the entire concert on YouTube Here.

The sheer size of the crowd that greeted him, and the warmth of their reception, made this encore a fitting compliment to his first train station experience. More important, he and the young artists who accompanied him brought beautiful music to the masses. I can’t think of a better ending to the story.

Honesty Hour: I feel compelled to write about Joshua Bell’s encore performance, because I’ve referenced his 2007 busking stint in two other blog posts. I never referred to him as That Guy. Not once. Honest.

PBS NewsHour Interview with Joshua Bell

The following PBS NewsHour video shows footage from Joshua Bell’s first busking experience and clips from his recent encore performance. In the personal interview that follows, Joshua Bell talks about the fate of classical music and the importance of keeping music in schools.

 

Encouraging and Instructing Young Artists

Joshua Bell puts action behind his words, contributing time and energy to the Education Through Music (ETM) program, among other philanthropic endeavors.

Most recently, he taught a Young Arts Master Class—some of his students accompanied him in his Union Station encore performance—which was the basis for a HBO documentary. See the following trailer for details.



Historic Hollywood Bowl: Hosts The Beatles to Beethoven

14 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Architecture, Historic, Music

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Architecture, Beethoven, Classical Music, dining, Elizabeth Fais, Historic, Hollywood Bowl, Joshua Bell, Music, Musicals, picnics, The Beatles

I was excited about attending a recent concert at the Hollywood Bowl (Joshua Bell and Friends), in Los Angeles, and couldn’t help sharing the news with whoever would listen. I was shocked when two different people asked, “What’s the Hollywood Bowl?” It was all I could do not to say, “Are you kidding?” I grew up on Southern California. But still. The Hollywood Bowl is an American icon, and has been used as a setting in films and television for years.

I would have dismissed one person not knowing about The Bowl. But two was a cry from the universe to write this post. Attending a performance at the Hollywood Bowl is a bucket list kind of thing.

Everything is better at the Bowl. It just is…

Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA

[image: Wikipedia, by Mathew Field]

From Rustic to Iconic

The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheatre in the United States, located in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California. When the Bowl opened to the public in 1921, it was used in its natural state with only makeshift wooden benches for the audience to sit on, and a simple awning strung up over the stage.

The popularity of the venue grew with the boom of the film industry, and by 1926 designs for a permanent stage were underway. For the 1927 season, Frank Lloyd Wright‘s son Lloyd Wright built the first of the iconic shell structures. By 1929, the Allied Architects built a shell that stood on the site until 2003. A larger and acoustically improved shell debuted in the 2004 summer season, incorporating design elements from the 1929 shell and the first shells designed by Lloyd Wright.

 

First known musical event at the current site of the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

[image: public domain, USC digital Library]

The two women in the photograph above are performing on the barn door (1920) to test the acoustics of the site, the first known musical event at the Hollywood Bowl. The barn door was placed approximately where the band shell was built.

Classical to Rock and Roll

A common misconception about the Hollywood Bowl is that it caters solely to the classical music crowd. The LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra both make their home there, but each season hosts productions from a wide variety of musical styles. For a complete list of upcoming performances, visit the Hollywood Bowl website.

The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl album cover artRock and Roll has a long history at the Bowl. In fact, The Beatles appeared at the Hollywood Bowl on April 23, 1964, just months after their US debut. Tickets for the show sold out in 3 1/2 hours, with the only sales being through select ticket offices, no online sales. Over 18,000 people packed the Bowl that night. To keep The Beatles safe from the overzealous fans, a smooth getaway scheme was devised. A decoy limo was used to attract the fans, while the band members slipped away in a nondescript Plymouth Valiant. In later appearances at the Bowl, a Brinks armored truck was used to escort The Beatles to and from their hotel to avoid a panic situation.

The screaming crowd at The Beatles first concert was so loud that no one could hear the music. However, it was recorded (as were their two Bowl concerts in August of 1965) and later released as an album under Capitol Records (US) and Parlophone (UK). [image: Wikipedia]

The Beatles 1964 concert became the bench mark for rock and roll concerts at the Bowl, but many famous rockers have played there before and since. To watch The Beatles performing at the Hollywood Bowl on April 23, 1964 go here.

Pre-Concert Picnic Tradition

One of the most engaging customs at the Bowl is the tradition of pre-concert picnicking. Some of the surrounding picnic areas open as early as 4 hours before each concert. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those in the private boxes nearest the stage, can choose to enjoy a luxurious dinner served to them by professional wait staff. Whether it’s a casual picnic or box dining, you can’t beat the delightful al fresco dining under the stars. For more information, see the Hollywood Bowl website.

Dining at the Hollywood Bowl


 

What’s Your favorite outdoor concert venue?

 


Creative Courage ~ Blowing Away “The Box”

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Creativity, Inspiration, Music, Writing

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Classical Music, Coldplay, Creative Courage, Crossover, Cubism, David Garrett, Elizabeth Fais, Firefly, Genre Busting, Genres, Joss Whedon, Legacy, Mavericks, Music, Pablo Picasso, San Jose, Viva La Vida

David Garrett ~ Musical Maverick

When a friend asked if I’d go with her to a concert featuring violinist David Garrett (in San Jose last Tuesday), I expected an excellent show. After all, I’d heard Garret’s classical album, Legacy; proving his world renowned talent as a classical musician.

David Garrett

What I didn’t expect … was to be totally blown away…
Along with that box everyone talks about thinking outside of.

His show — Music, named after his latest release — was genre busting in every possible way. From the wide range of music, to the orchestration and technological presentation. He played everything from Beethoven, Queen, AC/DC, Bach, Brahms, The Beatles, Brazilian … you get the picture. All backed by a rock band. Mindblowingly awesome!

I am inspired by any artist (in any medium) who refuses to follow the customs of their group and sets new standards of excellence. The Maverick … who sees beyond the rules, envisions explosive possibilities, and then brings them to life. What I love most is Garrett’s all-inclusive approach to his art…

I use my instrument to endeavor into all kinds of music genres… ~David Garrett

He draws from “everything” he hears, then filters through the possibilities and permutations to create something fresh and new. He doesn’t see one genre as “less than” and another as “superior”, he embraces all … even technology … to drive creativity to new limits. Check out the video below and see for yourself.

Garrett’s performance turned my head around in more ways than one. It made me take serious look at my approach to my craft, and ask how I can make my writing and my stories fresher. What possibilities haven’t I considered? What potentials should I investigate? What can I do that hasn’t been done before?

Mavericks in Fine Art and Filmmaking

Every medium has its mavericks. Unfortunately, they are few and far between. Pablo Picasso and Joss Whedon pioneered new ground in the fine arts and filmmaking, respectively.

Pablo Picasso was a maverick in the fine art world. He trained classically, painting in the realistic manner of the time through his childhood and adolescence. After that he experimented with different theories, techniques, and materials. His unique vision helped found the Cubist movement and made him one of the best-known figures in 20th century art.

Joss Whedon is a contemporary screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker who used his “genre salad” approach to story to create some of the most memorable TV series of our time. Whedon is best known for his TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a teen-angst dramedy with vampires, monsters, and hot chics with super powers who kickass and take names. Whedon stretched the genre envelope even further with the TV series Firefly, a space western drama. And that’s just two of his remarkable genre busting accomplishments.

The question we should all be asking ourselves is…

How can I turn my [type of creative work here] on its head, spin it around, and create something new?

Viva La Vida ~ David Garrett

In the following video, as in his live performance, David Garrett puts a fresh spin on Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, using technology to push the creative edge even further. Yes, he’s playing all the tracks in real-time (on a Stradivarius!), thanks to technology. Pretty awesome.

No powder throwing ravers at the live concert…
Is anyone else concerned about the violin in that scene?
Hopefully, that’s not the Strad!



37.330454 -121.889663

Classical To-Go: Extraordinary Music Breaks Out of the Concert Hall

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Classical, Inspiration, Music

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Beethoven, Blitz Concerts, Bus Station Sonata, Classical Close-Up Concerts, Classical Music, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Elizabeth Fais, Gene Weingarten, Joshua Bell, Peer Gynt, Stop and Hear the Music, The Oregon Symphony, Washington DC, Washington Post

Classical to-go violinI am intrigued by the incongruous and unexpected. I love being surprised by beauty in the simplest moments. It can happen at any time. Extraordinary talent can be anywhere. Literally. At the bus station, the metro, or perhaps a local bookstore or cafe.

Symphonies around the world are looking for new ways to woo younger audiences into the concert halls, as their traditional audiences age and ticket sales dwindle. If young people won’t come to the symphony, the obvious thing to do is bring the symphony to them. [images from morguefile.com, composite by moi]

The Oregon Symphony: Playing Outside the Box

The Oregon Symphony did just that … took their the music to the streets with their  Classical Close-Up and Blitz Concerts. All intended to make the world of classical music accessible to all, in  fun and informal settings such as Powell’s Books, outdoor plazas, churches and cafes. They hope to bring new friends and families to the symphony, while sharing their passion for music.

Flash Mob Philharmonic: Copenhagen Metro

The Copenhagen Philharmonic went one step further… They took their music right onto the train flash-mob style, playing Peer Gynt to a car full of amazed and delighted commuters.


Bus Station Beethoven

At the Haymarket Bus Station in Newcastle, England, a pianist took the interactive approach. He engaged willing commuters to help him play what he calls Beethoven’s “Bus Station Sonata”. A refreshingly fun endeavor.


Metro Maestro: Joshua Bell Incognito in a D.C. Metro

A conversation about extraordinary music in everyday places wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Joshua Bell’s 2007 performance in a Washington D.C. metro station at rush hour. Many of you may have already heard about the experiment initiated by Gene Weingarten for The Washington Post. The purpose was to see how many harried commuters would take the time to listen to Joshua Bell, one of the nation’s greatest violinist, if he appeared incognito as a typical busker. You can read the full story here. It’s amazing. The premise of the experiment was…

 In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?

Sadly, in this case it didn’t. People rushed by, some kind enough to toss a few coins or a dollar bill into his open violin case. But the majority of the crowd didn’t even acknowledge his existence. He made a total of $32.00 in the 45 minutes he played on that Friday morning. That’s not counting the $20.00 given to him by the ONE person recognized him. Though, what was truly mind-boggling was over one thousand people couldn’t spare a few minutes to  listen to some of the most exquisite music in the world played on one of the most priceless instruments. Beauty brought right to them … on their way to work … only three feet away.

In October 2014, Joshua Bell played an encore at Washington DC’s Union station. This time thousands packed the venue for the phenomenal free concert. You can read more about it here.

Extraordinary talent can be found in the most ordinary places. But the performers don’t have to be world-famous to be worth our time. Appreciate the beauty they bring into the world. Stop and listen. Enjoy the music.


Have you ever had an encounter with unexpected beauty,
musical or otherwise?


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