My daughter and I attended the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

She's a Trumpet Performance major in the DePaul University School of Music Trumpet Studio. One of her teachers is John Hagstrom, who is the second trumpet at the CSO.

The one piece of music we both wanted to hear was Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, performed by the CSO's new Principal Trumpet, Christopher Martin. Prior to coming to Chicago, he was the Principal Trumpet for the Atlanta Symphony for the last five years. Just to give you an idea of what Chris has accomplished, the previous Principal Trumpet for the CSO was Adolph (Bud) Herseth, who held that chair for 50 years!

John Hagstrom told my daughter that Chris does the best job on the Haydn that he's ever heard, ever. Well, I have (gratuitous audio content...!) Maurice Andre on Deutsche Grammafon doing the Haydn, and he's pretty damn good.

Martin was nothing less than astonishing. Even during the fast movements his tone was gorgeous. Not a single bobble. Two minute standing ovation.

I think I just might have to make a habit of this. Live music. Tough to beat!:yes:

Very cool Clay. I love trumpet concertos. Piano concertos are tops with me but them trumpets are a close second. What did your daughter think? Was she inspired or awestruck?

My wife and I attended a performance of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. I agree, live music is tough to beat.

Cheers

very cool

What did you wear?

Sounds stupid, but I don't know what the dress code is for things like that.

Clay, great report. Thanks.

I have not been to the CSO for about 10 years. Time to get back.

Cheers, Mark (aka Snade)

My daughter thought it was fabulous. She was also thrilled to get a chance to see her professor actually play outside the classroom/lesson arena.

I just wore a pair of khakis and a casual shirt. While there are certainly lots of patrons in suits and nice dresses, there are plenty of college kids and regular folks in regular clothes. Come as you are, they're glad to have you!

Btw, we sat in the gallery, which is six floors up and passes for the nose-bleed seats at the CSO. I was really, really impressed with the sound. I'm not sure it would have been much better in the expensive seats. And, we were dead center in front of the stage. I'd take those seats again in a minute. $33 each.

The very next evening I got a phone call from th CSO, asking me how I liked the performance, and letting me know about upcoming performances, subscriptions to multiple events, and giving me an unlisted phone number for lower prices that aren't available to the normal riff-raff that wanders in off the street!:D Obviously they're just hustling ticket sales, but it was nice to be appreciated as a current and possibly future customer.

And I'm definitely going back.

Very nice Clay.
I had the opportunity to attend the Elgin Symphony with my son Aidan last year (doesn't seem that long ago, but it was). Aidan plays flute in the Geneva H.S. band, and we went to see Sir James Galway. It was a very memorable evening, for the music as well as the time we spent together enjoying it. Glad you had a great time.

I have been to see The Chicago Symphony Orchestra three times and loved every second of it!

Very nice Clay.
I had the opportunity to attend the Elgin Symphony with my son Aidan last year (doesn't seem that long ago, but it was). Aidan plays flute in the Geneva H.S. band, and we went to see Sir James Galway. It was a very memorable evening, for the music as well as the time we spent together enjoying it. Glad you had a great time.

Ed, is the Elgin SO associated somehow with the CSO? I thought that I read that somewhere.

I always appreciate the opportunity to experience live performances. :music:What did you wear?

Sounds stupid, but I don't know what the dress code is for things like that.
I have a tux - but I live in Podunk, and get scant opportunities to wear it... so I tend to take any excuse to "dress out". :D

Funny, I was looking at my tie rack today, and couldn't remember the last time I wore a tie (a good thing, as far as I'm concerned). It's almost invariably to a funeral.

JD

Funny, I was looking at my tie rack today, and couldn't remember the last time I wore a tie (a good thing, as far as I'm concerned). It's almost invariably to a funeral.

JD

was in banking for 3 years.... first day I put one on I knew it wasnt for me. Very happy to not be wearing one. Whats with woman? they can wear whatever they want!! Men have to be choked up and uncomfortable to be taken as professional ?

Good read. Thanks.

Can't beat live music. Regardless of the venue or genre. Simply more involving. Opera is especially fun with the costumes and staging, etc. A play with great music and singing.

Too appease the wife, I find it easiet to toss on a light-weight crew/turtle-neck sweater and sports jacket. Simple and not too hot and appropriate for dinner afterwards if dining out. She does frown on my red/white running shoes, though. So have to drag out the leather.

Looking back I recall seeing/hearing Die Fledermaus atop Mont Royal in Montreal - open air opera, Orrff's Carmina Burana at the Forum (not exactly an acoustical paradise), the National Symphony in the Arts Centre in Ottawa. and the BSO along with the King's Singers here at the Myerhoff - the last two have great acoustics. Also heard Kathleen Battle's younger sister at the Myerhoff, another talented lady.

Despite the acoustics, when some player unexpectedly whacks the bass drum, as they do in Carmina Burana, you realize that even the best speakers are only reminding you of reality.

Ed, is the Elgin SO associated somehow with the CSO? I thought that I read that somewhere.

I don't think so, but I could be wrong. Perhaps a Google search would bring a definative answer.