If it ain't Baroque…
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Concert Roundup: Scarypants Edition
Happy Halloween! You know what’s really scary? Not having your concert attendance for the week all planned out. Here ya go:
- Oh boy. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra proves that it is positively MAGICAL with a program entitled “Wizards and Wands: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” a title which I will look upon dubiously forevermore. Still, aside from the admittedly catchy Williams Potter music, and you can never really go wrong with the Dukas. November 3 at the Meyerhoff. [ See it! ]
- The National Symphony Orchestra makes up for their lack of a concert a couple weeks ago by offering no less than three different programs this week. The first features Beethoven‘s Missa Solemnis, November 1 – 3. The second, on November 2, is a chamber music performance of all-Beethoven, proving that this Eschenbach fellow has great taste. And finally, on November 4, Lang-Lang plays nothing but Mozart and Chopin. Of course. [ See the Missa! ] [ See the chamber Beethoven! ] [ See Lang-Lang! ]
- This week at Strathmore: Joshua Bell, delta bluesman Keb’ Mo’, latin dance. [ See the calendar! ]
If you’d like your concert included in next week’s roundup, leave a comment or drop me a line.
Halloween preparedness
Yes, yes; you stocked up on water bottles and bought a new flashlight for Sandy. But are you sufficiently prepared for Halloween? Here are some items to help you out:
- The Ain’t Baroque Trick-Or-Treat Soundtrack! All sorts of spooky classical pieces to freak out the small children who have the audacity to come to your house demanding candy. Honestly. What nerve.
- Still need a costume? No problem! It’s simple to put together a Schroeder ensemble. Get instructions here – and see it executed here.
- Never mind the children – want to freak yourself out? Speaking of Beethoven, he seems to be awfully ghostly lately. Is this Beethoven’s face? Is this Beethoven’s… butterfly?
- And finally… ERLKOENIG!!!!
Now go forth and spookify.
The perfect time for a danse macabre
Good morning! How’s your hurricane experience going? Pretty good over here so far! Don’t worry – last week was bad, so logically this week has to be good, right? It’s Halloween week, too! And in that spirit:
Third year’s the charm
Good morning, Ain’t Baroque! It’s your birthday! You’re THREE!
I know, I know. You feel so old. Why, one year ago you were only two, and I was still clarifying the bloggy mission. This year, let’s look back at some of your accomplishments, shall we?
Well, as of exactly right now, you’ve received a grand, three-year total of 58,546 hits. You garnered over 30,690 hits over the past year, with the most impressive individual day being January 21 – 4,455 hits. What post got everyone all excited that day? “For all those paralyzed by choice.” Apparently a lot of people need help choosing their instrument – aren’t you proud to have been such a big part of that?
Good job, little Ain’t Baroque! Who knows what you’ll make happen next year! In celebration, let’s gaze upon this picture of Beethoven demanding birthday cake. Some things are worth doing twice.
(I know, I know, greatest image ever. You can find it on cards and mugs and stuff at the AB store.)
What would you like to see happen to AB in the coming year?
A day of celebration for violists
In the spirit of having a kinder, gentler week, let’s turn our comedic eye to a different instrument. JUST THIS ONCE. Don’t get comfortable back there, violas.
Q. How is a harp like an elderly parent?
Switching it up
Clearing a path for a small but special Friday post. Ooh, ooh, who knows what’s special about Friday? 😀
Also, this is a good point.
All the Concert Roundup You Want
- This week’s Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert is deeply romantic when it isn’t being kinda classical. Brahms‘ Double Concerto for Cello and Violin, Mozart‘s fifth symphony aka the “Haffner,” and something called Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks by Strauss, Richard. October 26 & 28 at the Meyerhoff; October 27 at Strathmore. [ See it! ]
- Not a concert, but interesting nonetheless while on the subject: the BSO just introduced their “Passport” which, for $75, enables you to attend as many concerts as you like for what as far as I can tell looks like the rest of the season. Caveat: 40 and under. If you qualify, might be worth investigating. [ Learn more! ]
- Meanwhile, back at the National Symphony Orchestra, the Pops take over with a series of concerts featuring Roberta Flack. Looks like she’ll be interpreting the Beatles. October 25 – 27. [ See it! ]
- Are you plagued by an extremely short person who seems to need things from you constantly? If so, this might be your child. If you suspect you may have a child, you should probably bring it to an NSO children’s concert, just to be safe – don’t want the little bugger to grow up to be some kinda philistine. Luckily there’s a Halloween-themed performance on October 28, including logical stuff like Berlioz and Dukas. [ See it! ]
- This week at Strathmore: impressive looping fiddler Casey Driessen and two performances by the Dali Quartet. [ See the calendar! ]
If you’d like your concert included in next week’s roundup, leave a comment or drop me a line.
I don’t know who this is fur
I was nosing around on Cracked yesterday and came upon a recent article entitled “5 Ways Your Taste in Music is Scientifically Programmed.” Number five was the familiar, or at least unsurprising, point that your brain can tell the difference between “sad” and “happy” notes, a fact anyone who’s ever listened to a piece in a minor key understands.
Speaking of minor keys, the article included this video. I find it deeply unsettling.
Isn’t that just weird? I know the A major is supposed to make me feel better about life, but it’s pretty much serving solely to freak me out. View the full article here.
How to make your sheet music feel good about itself
Notes do not require makeup to be pretty. I’m so jealous!
If it ain't Baroque... 