Day 258: Bernstein moves the Earth
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day
258 — Bernstein moves the Earth
16-April-1972
(Sonntag–Sun.)
TRANSCRIPT
I have to write this in
English.
I decided to go again to the Bernstein concert. I got
in again to the “orgel balkon”–for free, and was
again able to se him conduct (from the front). In the
beginning of the first movement, there was a rumble
and some perceptible shaking. I, however, only
noticed it slightly, but in those seconds, people
started hurriedly scrambling out of the concert hall.
The people near the walls—especially in the
orgel
balkon with empty space below
[the seats] and the hollow walls of the organ… Well,
in those few seconds (especially when in confusion
and doubt—mild panic?), a feeling of fear can come
across anyone. It did to me. However, after those few
seconds everyone calmed down.
I found out later that it was a rather strong earth
tremor (6.?).
Anyway, the concert began again and it was enjoyable.
Basically, very well played. I, however, think that
Bernstein is not very pleased with the brass playing.
While it is better than usual, there are still a few
too many mistakes (anything over zero). I also found
out he cancelled the radio broadcast. Anyway, I
enjoyed it. I like his conducting because his whole
self is “feeling” the music. Of course, it can be
considered show—but not really, because he is, I am
sure, sincere. I like the idea of involvement in the
music.
Afterwards, got his autograph on the back of my
Sinfonia card. He wasn’t extremely friendly but he
appeared to be very tired. Also, I met again Mr. S.
of CBS Records. He was standing next to Mr.
Bernstein.
REFLECTIONS
Earth
shaking. Today’s
Bernstein-Mahler concert brings some excitement to
town. I remember that moment in the first movement.
What I thought was the rumble of a bass drum roll or
a subway moving under the building was actually an
earthquake tremor. At the time, I didn’t know this. I
simply followed everyone else out of the hall, not
knowing what was going on. It calmed down rather
quickly and the concert resumed. This was my first
earthquake (and hopefully last). I’ll add that to my
list of “firsts” on the Welcome page.
Orgel
Balkon. My
sneaking in to a concert is not something I normally
do. I will have to ask my friend, Mike, if we
actually did this. However, I’m fairly certain that
we were in a standing-room section of the organ
balcony of the Musikverein. From this angle, I could
watch Bernstein conduct from the front-side, as if I
were in the orchestra. Wonderful!
The opening picture, shows the one of the
Bernstein-VPO concerts. (I apologize for the poorly
exposed and blurred photos of some of these
Bernstein-Mahler photos.) The photo below shows the
Vienna Boys’ Choir in the organ balcony at one of the
other Bernstein-Mahler concerts.
Bernstein style. I am a big
Bernstein fan. His recordings are legendary. His
legacy in conducting and composing, will last a long
time. He is certainly one of the great conductors of
the 20th century. I like Bernstein’s emotional style
of conducting where he puts his whole body into the
music. Call it feeling, or emotion. The VPO responds
and plays beautifully with Bernstein. Sometimes, I
wonder how they see the downbeat on occasion.
Autograph.
I even get
Bernstein’s autograph. Wow. Wish I could find it.
Because I don’t have a program (that’s what you get
for sneaking in John), he has to sign the back of my
music fraternity card. I’m certain Mike is behind all
of this. I don’t have the knowledge on how to do
these things or where to go to get backstage.
VPO.
The Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra is an incredible orchestra as
seen in these Bernstein-Mahler concerts. Bernstein, I
believe, has always had a great relationship with the
orchestra. I wasn’t able to find more videos on
YouTube of these specific concerts. I mention that
the brass might make an occasional mistake, including
the horns—remember, they are single Vienna
F-horns—much more difficult to play than the common
double F-Bb horn used by most players. In the
professional world, the expectancy is zero mistakes.
So, perhaps if there were three mistakes in the
entire symphony, I might have pointed that out. The
orchestra, concert, and brass sections are just
wonderful. If you get a chance to see any VPO videos,
check out the Vienna trumpets as well, they are held
flat and have similar rotary pistons similar to the
horn.
Mr.
S. of CBS. It’s a
small world. Do you remember the gentleman who I met
at a coffee place, in the first few days in Vienna?
See
ay 005: Coffee and call
girls">Day 005. He gave
me some advice and gave me a small tour? Well,
here his is, standing next to Maestro Bernstein. I
believe he was in record promotions for CBS. I’m
impressed. Yes, it’s a small world.
John
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