(Also, ignore the random citations...)
Being a Los Angeles native, when I found out that Gustavo
Dudamel was going to be in Vienna to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic, I knew I
had to attend the concert. The concert took place on Saturday, 10 December 2011
in the Großer Saal of the Musikverein at 3:30 pm. In addition to Gustavo
Dudamel conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, the program also named a solo
Clarinetist: Matthias Schorn. The program was comprised of three pieces and
lasted for a total of two hours. The pieces performed included “Don Juan” Op.
20 by Richard Strauss, a clarinet concerto “Ego eimi” / ”Ich bin” from the cycle
“Montafon” by Herbert Willi, and Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 (“Scottish”)
by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.
Having
purchased standing room tickets, I arrived at the Musikverein quite early to
claim my spot. Unfortunately, they do not open the doors until one hour before
the concert begins, so I was forced to stand outside for about an hour before
finally being let into the warm building. While waiting outside, I met a woman
from Germany who comes to Vienna dozens of times every year to simply watch
operas, go to concerts, and enjoy the Viennese culture. Since I had never been
to the Musikverein before, she told me a little bit about the process of
standing room there. It was also beneficial that other IES students who had
been to the Musikverein before were there, too. When we were let inside and
upstairs, right outside the standing room, I was prepared for the mad dash to
find a good spot. The bell rang and everyone ran to claim his or her spot.
Luckily, I was able to stand right in front, near the center, and had a perfect
view of the stage.
The
Musikverein is a beautiful building that is covered with gold decorations and
statues. I was intrigued by the set up of the stage, as I had never seen one
that had different levels for the orchestra rows – it was like stadium seating
on the stage. However, this arrangement makes sense, considering the audience seats
are completely flat instead of stadium-style. I also think it makes it easier
for the audience to really watch the musicians play their instruments. As 3:30
neared, we all waited anxiously until the concert finally began.
The
musicians walked out and were greeted with a generous applause. When Gustavo
Dudamel walked onto the stage, the audience’s applause grew slightly louder and
the concert began with Strauss’ “Don Juan,” Op. 20. One of my favorite things
to observe about Dudamel when he conducts is his hair. At the beginning of
every concert, he walks out with his hair neatly slicked back and out of his
face. However, throughout the performance, it swiftly falls out of place and
his curly hair becomes more visible. Dudamel conducts with a unique level of
energy and passion that I have not seen in other conductors. He never stands
still, with both feet planted into the ground, for more than a second – if
that. He is constantly bouncing around, swaying, and moving with the music. It
is through his large, sweeping movements that one can tell how passionate
Dudamel is about the music he conducts.
The
first piece was beautifully done and the musicians prepared for the second
piece: the clarinet concerto “Ego eimi” / “Ich bin” from the cycle “Montafon”
by Herbert Willi. Willi is a contemporary Austrian composer who was born in
1956 (“Herbert Willi”). He has won numerous awards and competitions and has
traveled all over the world to perform and conduct music. Willi composed this
clarinet concerto, which was commissioned by the Salzburg Festival, to mark
Mozart’s 250th birthday in 2006. The clarinet concerto is the third
part of his cycle “Montafon,” which comprises the Concerto for trumpet and
orchestra “Eirene” and the Double Concerto for flute, oboe, and orchestra
“…geraume Zeit…” (“Work of the Week”). This was my favorite piece of the
afternoon. The concerto is comprised of calmer, slow movements as well as rich
and virtuosic clarinet solos. There are several moments throughout the piece in
which an almost jazz-like theme emerges with a great percussion part. Having
been the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic since 2007, this was
Matthias Schorn’s debut as a soloist with the Vienna Philhamarmonic; he had an
amazing performance (“Matthias Schorn”). At the end of the piece, the audience
applauded loudly – even more so when Herbert Willi, himself, walked on stage
from the audience. I felt very honored to have seen this piece performed with
the composer sitting in the same room.
After
a short intermission, we all returned to our spots to enjoy the last piece of
the concert: Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.
Although I love watching Dudamel conduct and I think the Vienna Philharmonic is
an amazing orchestra, this was my least favorite piece. It may have had to do
with the piece’s length, combined with the fact that I had already been
standing for about an hour, but I just did not enjoy this piece as much as I
enjoyed the first two – especially the clarinet concerto. However, I did still
like the second half of the concert and loved every second of being at the
Musikverein.
When
the concert came to a close, the performers received a standing ovation from
the audience and the applause lasted for a very long time. The audience began
to dissipate and I decided to explore more of the Musikverein. As I was walking
down a hallway that ran along the left-hand side of the Großer Saal, I noticed
that there was a small group of people gathered around the side stage door at
the end of the hall. As I got closer, I realized why they were there: Gustavo
Dudamel was right there, signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking with
them. Obviously, I immediately freaked out and managed to squeeze my way right
next to him. After waiting my turn, I was able to get Dudamel’s autograph and
take a picture with him. I also told him that I am from Los Angeles and have
seen him conduct at the Hollywood Bowl before. I was definitely a bit
star-struck after our interaction and I left the Musikverein with a huge smile
on my face. This may have been my favorite performance that I have seen in
Vienna all semester and it might have something to do with the fact that I got
to meet Gustavo Dudamel. The Vienna Philharmonic gave an amazing performance
and I am very glad that I was able to see them before leaving Vienna.
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| ME AND GUSTAVO DUDAMEL |
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| Der Musikverein |
DAMN i can't believe you met Dudamel!!! Insane!!!!!
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