Classical music purists and snobs would scoff at the idea that a symphony concert needs anything more than a conductor and musicians on stage. But there's a trend now for orchestras to present "multimedia" concerts with a projection screen along with live actors as commentators. Part of the idea is to attract a new audience by helping the music along with visuals to keep those short attention spans from wandering. When they work, these programs can be entertaining and make a nice change. For example, two years ago we watched the 1936 movie Alexander Nevsky above the stage while the Seattle Symphony played the complete score by Sergei Prokofiev.
This year John bought tickets to a 3 concert series called Beyond the Score, and yesterday we heard (and saw) Vivaldi's Four Seasons performed. It was perfect for a multimedia production, with its vivid musical scenes of weather, countrysides and activities. In the first half, the commentator and actors talked about Vivaldi and the music while Italian art and scenery was projected on the screen. Then in the second half, the Symphony played the piece through without any other "visual enhancement." A nice mix and introduction to favorite, familiar music.
Speaking of weather, yesterday afternoon our deep freeze suddenly turned into a sideways rainstorm, which whipped my umbrella inside out multiple times walking one block to Benaroya Hall. We are so ready for the Spring Concerto to start in the Northwest.
We did blow into the Brooklyn Oyster House for some Happy Hour treats before heading home in the rain.
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