The BPO plays music from the Romantic era, not romantic music. Note the capital R in Romantic. Not every piece is romantic, though many are Romantic. This is by no stretch of the imagination an invitation for a makeout session. By all means, impress your date with a classical music concert, but save some of your mojo for later.
A friend of mine shared with me an experience she had last fall. Here’s my version of her story, slightly exaggerated, but not by much:
From the film Ratatouille:
Mustafa: [taking Ego's order] Do you know what you’d like this evening, sir?
Anton Ego: Yes, I think I do. After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook, you know what I’m craving? A little perspective. That’s it. I’d like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?
Mustafa: With what, sir?
Anton Ego: Perspective. Fresh out, I take it?
When criticism is invited, it should be embraced like an itchy sweater in the dead of winter. Sure, some critics can be particularly harsh in their criticism (see above: food critic, Anton Ego, of Disney/Pixar’s classic film, Ratatouille). One might suppose that this is why modern audiences offer a wimpy clap instead of chucking produce after a superficial or impassioned performance. Critics and reviewers alike have been bitten by the softy bug.
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Case in point: tweed.
One could argue that tweed is always in style or if tweed is suddenly trendy, one should buck the trend and wear cotton; however, we as fans of classical music owe it to ourselves to wear what we love. Wear your tweed and wear it loudly (don’t forget your bow tie and thick framed glasses).
Know that you’ve been wearing tweed since the cast of Mad Men were in diapers and if tweed should become trendy again, think “what took you so long fashion gurus?” You don’t need a subscription to GQ to know what you’re wearing to the Boston Philharmonic season opener in October. You’ve got your conscience.
What kind of man would you be if you didn’t wear tweed? Or smoke a pipe in the billiard room with Col. Mustard? Important questions.
Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Diane Hessan, CEO of Communispace, shares her favorite “Ben moment” among other tidbits in this candid interview with Outreach Coordinator and blog contributor Pamela Feo.
I have not experienced a neighbor humming along to a classical music concert. This does not mean that it does not or has not happened. I’m simply suggesting that it should not happen. Some of you are probably wondering why I bother to bring it up anyways. Allow me to paint you some horrifying pictures, or help some of you recall buried scars.
Next Monday, our last Notes on a Season video will feature Diane Hessan, former Chairman to the Board of Directors. Join us as Diane shares some highlights of her final season with the orchestra and find out how she met our maestro, Ben Zander.
Our Marketing and Technology Manager, Webmaster, Erica Ligeski suggested that I listen to the string quartet Bond. This quartet has a few things going for it — it’s all female, they’re making music that is of the pop classical variety, and, believe it or not, you could dance to their music. Actually, Erica recommended them to me because she’s a dancer and she’s seen routines featuring their song, “Explosive.”
Normally, when I learn of new classical musicians, I don’t bother to look for music videos, which is why I didn’t look for Bond on Vevo until today. The video for “Explosive” is genius. It establishes their reputation as the double agents, or, duh, James BONDs, of the scene, passing from pop to classical in milliseconds.
Watch the video after the cut.