The 15th June is always an auspicious day because it heralds my first appearance on this planet back in 1945, which seems now like a distant past. And, to celebrate this anniversary of my arrival, Emily arranged for she and I to attend a performance by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra of two of my favourite works. Both were composed by Richard Strauss, namely his Alpine Symphony - not really a symphony but rather a 21 scenario tone-poem and his four last songs.
I will not expound at length about these two works, except to observe that the Alpine Symphony always reminds me of my excursions in the Swiss Alps and in particular the day I ascended to Gornergrat which, at 3,100 m (10,170 feet), overlooks the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa the second highest peak in the Alps. I might add that unlike the trip to Rattlesnake Ridge, which I ascended on foot, the trip to Gornergrat can be made by taking a spectacular train ride from Zermatt. And I just love those four songs, which remind me of the only time I gave a public music recital. On 14 July 1989 at 7.30 pm I and a colleague at the University of New England gave a performance of part of Berlioz's Les Nuits d'été (Summer Nights). I was on the piano, accompanying an accomplished soprano who introduced me to Strauss's songs.
Alas, I cannot festoon this blog with endless photos of the orchestra in action. Here are just two taken in the huge auditorium just before the start. What I can say is that the conductor, soloist, and orchestra were brilliant and received standing ovations at the end of both works.
And there was an added bonus at the end. Dancers in traditional Bavarian dress performed in the foyer of the concert hall at the end of the concert, aided by gents on the Alpine Horn and Accordion.
Altogether, it was a wonderful night out. Thanks, Em!
AS
I will not expound at length about these two works, except to observe that the Alpine Symphony always reminds me of my excursions in the Swiss Alps and in particular the day I ascended to Gornergrat which, at 3,100 m (10,170 feet), overlooks the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa the second highest peak in the Alps. I might add that unlike the trip to Rattlesnake Ridge, which I ascended on foot, the trip to Gornergrat can be made by taking a spectacular train ride from Zermatt. And I just love those four songs, which remind me of the only time I gave a public music recital. On 14 July 1989 at 7.30 pm I and a colleague at the University of New England gave a performance of part of Berlioz's Les Nuits d'été (Summer Nights). I was on the piano, accompanying an accomplished soprano who introduced me to Strauss's songs.
Alas, I cannot festoon this blog with endless photos of the orchestra in action. Here are just two taken in the huge auditorium just before the start. What I can say is that the conductor, soloist, and orchestra were brilliant and received standing ovations at the end of both works.
And there was an added bonus at the end. Dancers in traditional Bavarian dress performed in the foyer of the concert hall at the end of the concert, aided by gents on the Alpine Horn and Accordion.
Altogether, it was a wonderful night out. Thanks, Em!
AS
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