Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for holding space for us to sharing our writing every day in March. Last night, we took Oldest Grandgirl girl to the Oregon Symphony. She’s learning the cello and the main feature was a rising star female cellist, Harriet Krijgh.
We were supposed to go to a cello concert in January but the weather prevented us from attending. Things happen for a reason. This concert featured three pieces, all from different centuries.
The first, a concerto for the cello by Antonín Leopold Dvořák written in the 1800’s. Krijgh came on stage with her almost 400 year old cello. For forty minutes we were transfixed. Oldest couldn’t get over the fact that this cellist had memorized the piece.
After the intermission, the audience was treated to a world premiere, Aspects of an Elephant” by a local Portland composer, Kenji Bunch. He wrote it starting in the summer of 2016 and just recently finished. The piece was inspired by the fable, The Blind Men and the Elephant.” I have a better appreciation for modern classical pieces today than when I was in college. I hated modern classical.
Finally, “Souvenirs” by Samuel Barber was played. It was an upbeat piece, the perfect ending for he evening. Barber is a new to me twentieth century composer. This piece was a musical story.
We picked up grandgirl after a day of swim meet competition and was in a quiet mood. I wasn’t sure how she’d like the concert. But this morning her mother said she texted her at some time in the evening and said it was awesome.
Three centuries of music, each different and yet they tied together. I wonder if that is the role of the conductor. I wonder how the season is decided for the year. My goal is to have season tickets to the symphony. I love where music takes you.
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
My daughter is a cellist – such an amazing instrument. If you enjoyed Barber, you might like to listen to his “Adagio for Strings.” It’s a powerful piece! Sometimes I worry when I attend the symphony that most of the heads have gray hair, like mine. I’m happy that you took your granddaughter!
There was a wide range of attendees.
It does sound lovely, Jone. My brother was a school band director for a long time, and his wife plays viola and/or piano for their symphony. They say it’s like putting together a meal, the flavors must mesh well and enhance each other. How wonderful that you took your granddaughter too!
My family has enjoyed a number of shows performed by the Oregon Symphony this year! From Jason Alexander, to Dvorak’s New World Symphony, to Tango music and more. What a wonderful outing for the family!