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Derek Reaban · 10-30-2006, 06:21 PM

Beethoven at the New York Philharmonic

We arrived at the hall in plenty of time to explore. I loved the photos of all the musicians and past conductors on the second floor. We found our seats in the first balcony and I was amazed at how deep the hall is (I’m guessing it was easily 150-170 feet to where the trumpet section was sitting). Since Beethoven’s King Stephan Overture was up first, Matthew Muckey and Thomas Smith were warming up onstage on their rotaries. There sounds were simply stunning! I enjoyed hearing them line up the octaves before the concert just to be certain. A piece by Ligetti was also on the first half and the Piano Concerto No. 1 by Bartok. Matthew Muckey had a really nice solo in the last movement of the Bartok that I enjoyed very much.

The second half of the concert was Beethoven 5, with Jim Ross on 2nd trumpet. This was easily the best Beethoven 5 that I have ever heard and it was simply amazing to me how evenly matched all of the sections were. Phil Myer’s sound could rise through the entire orchestra at will, and the trumpets sound floated easily to the back of the hall. It was great!

After the program, I met Jim Ross at the stage door and we had a chance to talk as we walked to the subway. I was curious about how his role has changed now that he is sitting 100 yards from his old seat at the Met, and he commented on the different feel of the brass section (locking in on the front end of the beat), new literature each week, and using rotary trumpet much more frequently.

My Wife and I had read in the program that in the 164 years that the Philharmonic has been in existence, they have programmed Beethoven 5 well over 400 times (it was presented on the first concert in 1842 and was known as Grand Symphony in C minor). Jim said that his Mom would be attended the Saturday shown and it was the first time that she had heard the Philharmonic since 1945! And you guessed it; the last time that she heard them they were doing Beethoven 5!

I have some pictures that I will post here when we get them downloaded from our camera.

What a great day! Thanks Jim!

10-30-2006, 06:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Derek Reaban Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 616	Beethoven at the New York Philharmonic We arrived at the hall in plenty of time to explore. I loved the photos of all the musicians and past conductors on the second floor. We found our seats in the first balcony and I was amazed at how deep the hall is (I’m guessing it was easily 150-170 feet to where the trumpet section was sitting). Since Beethoven’s King Stephan Overture was up first, Matthew Muckey and Thomas Smith were warming up onstage on their rotaries. There sounds were simply stunning! I enjoyed hearing them line up the octaves before the concert just to be certain. A piece by Ligetti was also on the first half and the Piano Concerto No. 1 by Bartok. Matthew Muckey had a really nice solo in the last movement of the Bartok that I enjoyed very much. The second half of the concert was Beethoven 5, with Jim Ross on 2nd trumpet. This was easily the best Beethoven 5 that I have ever heard and it was simply amazing to me how evenly matched all of the sections were. Phil Myer’s sound could rise through the entire orchestra at will, and the trumpets sound floated easily to the back of the hall. It was great! After the program, I met Jim Ross at the stage door and we had a chance to talk as we walked to the subway. I was curious about how his role has changed now that he is sitting 100 yards from his old seat at the Met, and he commented on the different feel of the brass section (locking in on the front end of the beat), new literature each week, and using rotary trumpet much more frequently. My Wife and I had read in the program that in the 164 years that the Philharmonic has been in existence, they have programmed Beethoven 5 well over 400 times (it was presented on the first concert in 1842 and was known as Grand Symphony in C minor). Jim said that his Mom would be attended the Saturday shown and it was the first time that she had heard the Philharmonic since 1945! And you guessed it; the last time that she heard them they were doing Beethoven 5! I have some pictures that I will post here when we get them downloaded from our camera. What a great day! Thanks Jim! __________________ Derek Reaban Tempe, Arizona