Day 014: My first concert—Washington State Choir
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day 14
— Day 014: My first concert—Washington State Choir
16-August-1971
(Mon.)
TRANSCRIPT
Feeling frustrated when studying. Seem to be
overloading myself—trying to learn too fast.
First Concert—Washington State Choir—excellent choir
in a good concert, in an extremely beautiful Italian
Church. Enjoyed the music. [Concert 01]
REFLECTIONS
Total
immersion. It looks
like “total immersion” German is killing me. It’s not
as bad as it sounds (I think). As I mentioned a while
ago, “learnin’ ain’t easy.” Don’t give up, John. Keep
going.
I’m still going to go back to Europe when I retire
and fulfill my dream of taking a monthly language
course each year in all of the major cities.
First
concert. Well, it
looks like I finally get to my first concert. Yay!
Isn’t it ironic that it’s an American musical group,
a concert choir from Washington State? Probably
Washington State University? You would be amazed at
how excellent many university choirs sound. It looks
like it was a good concert and in a beautiful Italian
church. This is a major reason to be in Vienna—the
music.
While not an expert, I know that the summer season is
the touring season for many American musical
ensembles to tour Europe, especially university and
college groups. So, if you’re visiting in the summer,
you will get more concerts than usual. And, they are
generally free.
Plenty of music in the U.S. You can
get a great “classical” concert-going experience in
the States if you’re near a major city with a large
musical establishment. (Classical here refers to
symphonies and operas.) I only live an hour away from
New York, why don’t I go more often? Time, and MONEY
(mostly). Just the other day, I received an email to
attend a concert by the New York Philharmonic. Center
orchestra seats—$150 per ticket. Ouch! How do people
afford this? Looks like my wife and kids are never
going to see the inside of Avery Fisher Hall. Well,
one day, for sure. It IS worth the $150 though.
Lincoln
Center Award. As a
related aside—When I was young, I received a student
Lincoln Center Award to go to a number of concerts at
Lincoln Center. I may have been in 8th or 9th grade,
perhaps. I loved it. It was the FIRST TIME I heard
the New York Philharmonic; the first time I heard any
symphony orchestra live. That was it. I was hooked on
music. These kinds of programs are important to young
students, especially for students who can’t afford to
go. They provide a cultural experience and exposure
that is invaluable to them. Hope they’re still doing
those concerts. Thanks, Lincoln Center. I’ll be back.
[Lincoln
Center is the world-renown music and arts center in
New York City, offering performances of concert and
symphonic music, recitals, opera, ballet, modern
dance, theater, and special music festivals. It is
home to the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan
Opera, the New York Ballet, and other
ensembles.]
John
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