In the summer of 2014, I subscribed to the 2014-15 season of the New York Philharmonic, because Josh was the featured performer in the opening gala, and the only way you could see that performance was to subscribe. I got the absolute cheapest subscription — sitting up in the 3rd tier.
One thing that immediately struck me, listening to the orchestra was that the violins sounded different from what I was used to with orchestras. They sounded much clearer — and fully synchronized, so that they sounded like a single instrument. It was a mesmerizing sound.
I’ve never been much of a violin fan. I have auditory sensitivities. Violins are generally not compatible with me. The only exception has been Lucia Micarelli, who I’ve mentioned before, my favorite violinist.
But it was this intriguing sound that hooked me.
I decided to renew and be a subscriber this year as well.
One time last spring I got to speak with a long time subscriber, and she said that there was a temporary concert mistress — and that this temporary person had dramatically improved the sound of the orchestra.
I decided to renew this year, even tho Josh wasn’t performing.
The opening gala this time featured Lang Lang. I had seen him on YouTube before, notably playing flight of the bumble bee on an iPad. I wanted to see him in person, so I signed up for the gala.
I really fell for him as a performer.
His playing is like liquid gold — so smooth, subtle, nuanced. He’s something of a ham, as well, acting out the feelings he has for the music, as he plays. He’s entertaining to watch as well as listen to.
I noticed that one of the guys in my box elected to wear a sleep mask during Lang Lang’s performance, apparently wanting to focus on the sound rather than the visuals. I noticed he took the mask off for the Beethoven Symphony that Lang Lang was not participating in. It was a bit spooky. I hope he isn’t dangerous.
Anyway, Lang Lang is able to convey the impression that the piece he is playing is totally fresh — that his playing is not due to following music on a printed page, but improvised spontaneously in the moment in response to what he is hearing. Everyone else is staring at the music. He is listening actively. He has great stage presence.
There was a new concert master. Unfortunately for me, the violins had gone back to normal. They did not sound like a single instrument. They sounded like a group of performers, due to tiny variations in timing. That eerie, preternatural clarity and crispness was gone.
I suppose there is no reason to prefer them all sounding like a single performer, other than novelty. I suppose I'm being unsophisticated for preferring that, but still I like the sound I heard during Josh's concert.
Curiously, Lang Lang passed the bouquet he was given to woman who I think is the former temporary concert mistress. That made me wonder if he, too, noticed the difference and liked the former version better, not that he would likely say anything.
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