...a night at the symphony...

A generous family gave me two tickets to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra this evening, in the nicest seats I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying at Powell Hall. Unfortunately, Andy had to work the night shift, so I invited a colleague to join me.

Marsha Medley, a piano teacher and composer, is always fun to be around. At times cantankerous, but always hilarious, she is an outspoken social activist, who doesn't sit back quietly when she witnesses wrongdoing. She is one of the few people I know who regularly stands up in defense of others. At 5'1”, her small frame belies her big heart. She is also a church music director, organist and composer. You can hear some of Marsha's music here on her YouTube Channel.

Tonight, the SLSO played Ingram Marshall's Bright Kingdoms, Korngold's Violin Concerto in D and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Bright Kingdoms was different, modern, a bit eerie, with pre-recorded children's voices that, at times, made it feel like we were in a horror movie. I wasn't disappointed when it was over.

Always a fan of the New World Symphony, and familiar with the majority of it, my body kept time with the beat, rising and falling with the swells in sound, allowing the music to wash over me. But the highlight for me was Korngold's Violin Concerto in D Major. While the music was beautiful, sweeping and altogether romantic, it was the artist, Gil Shaham, who brought the piece to life.

Obviously a joyful man, Mr. Shaham's face regularly reflected different emotions throughout the piece, the most notable, and most frequent, of which was joy! It was almost as if there was a dance happening between the conductor, Maestro David Robertson, and Mr. Shaham. Brothers by marriage, there was a tangible delight and energy between the two that infected the orchestra and the audience. You couldn't help but be pulled into their light-hearted dance. It was delightful to watch them interact, both with each other, the players and the audience.

A simple waltz was chosen as the encore, and at the end of the piece, Maestro Robertson reached out and plucked the last note on Mr. Shaham's violin, garnering a chuckle from the audience, and cementing to the outsider the strength of their relationship.

I love seeing the orchestra conducted by David Robertson. Marsha commented on how Maestro Robertson always brings a level of fun and joy to each concert, and she couldn't be more correct. If you ever have the opportunity to see him, allow me to encourage you to go.

For more information about the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the second-oldest symphony in the United States, and for a list of their upcoming performances, click here.