"Best in Your Row"

Last night, I attended the Dresden Staatskapelle here at Symphony Hall, and although the audience was less than full, they more than made up the difference in affection shown the orchestra at the end of the night. Fabio Luisi, the Italian-born conductor with glorious, bouncy hair, took four separate curtain calls last night--a record for any audience that I've been in.

The program included LvB's Piano Concerto #1, Op 15, and Brahms' Symphony #4, Op 98, and featured an encore consisting of Weber's Overture to Oberon. I particularly liked the raucous off-beat accents in LvB's Rondo, and the entire Brahms symphony kept me rapt and on the edge of my seat: a rare event these days since I hardly go to concerts anymore. The only mis-step of the evening occurred at the very opening of the Brahms first movement: after the string entrance, the bass downbeat sounded scattered and unsettled, which subsequently scattered and unsettled my listening experience...but that moment passed, and soon I was smitten.

At this time, I'd like to mention two things: first, over ten years ago I sat in a Music Theory I class, drinking my huge, honkin' Coke and eating my plain bagel, which pretty much exemplified my breakfast diet in those days, and listened to Josh Budway extemporize on the virtues on one Johannes Brahms. I can still remember his face when he discovered that I hadn't heard the Brahms 4. If you're reading this Josh, I've heard it now and I've drank the cool-aid: thanks for being the world's slowest, yet effective, catalyst!

Second, I've got to mention the title of today's post: "Best in Your Row" is, of course, a reference to the iconic film Ghostbusters. Every time I hear a symphonic performance, I think of Bill Murray's "I thought you were the best in your row" line to Sigourney Weaver in the plaza of Lincoln Center, with that weird roller skater in the background--love it! Another favorite: "Ray, when someone asks if you're a god, you say YES."
The Wife (TW) never gets this reference, even though every time I use it, which is quite often, it's usually to her after a performance; so TW, perk your ears--you'll probably be getting a "Best in Your Row" on Sunday afternoon!

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Not too much dissertating today, although I did get to look over the past day's work. I cleaned up some verb-tense issues, and also helped TW with her paper proposal--you're welcome! Tonight we're continuing our full plate of tourist activities with The Parents: last night Symphony Hall, tonight the Boston Center for the Arts and Conor McPherson's The Seafarer.