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Get out and listen!

Yesterday my wife and I went to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall. It had been far too long that I'd heard live instruments that weren't rock or country, thus greatly amplified. There's something very different about the symphony or chamber or classical music in general when it's live than the aforementioned genres.

We were in row L, just off center and had a great place to enjoy the performance. Not too close and yet close enough to hear nuances. Of course the second thing I did right after letting myself be immersed was to consider the contrast between my system and a live performance. I'm not going to say that my system rivals a live performance! I am going to say that within the limitations that we all deal with (space, budget, esthetics) that it acquits itself acceptably. If anything, it might be a bit heavy on the bottom end. I need to dial back my sub a bit.

Anyway, the reason for my post is simply to encourage audiophile to get out and listen to the real thing. There is a movement in Handel's Water Music that begins with a pair of french horns that literally brought tears to my eyes. Despite all the time, effort and money we spend on our rigs, there is simply nothing that compares to the real thing. Nothing... Happy Listening.

https://seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2022-2023/22bar1

 

128x128musicfan2349

Showing 2 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

For the rest of the night she used a mic. Just too hard on the chops not to, I guess. But I asked around the table at the end of the night, everyone agreed that was the best part and the most exciting thing most of us ever heard

That is a good observation. When vocalists perform at the local jazz venues or Steinway Gallery, they use microphones. The musicians do not.  Too much strain for the vocal cords? Very likely so. I’ll take what I can get. Un-microphoned tenor saxophone, trumpet, cello? Pure bliss.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@musicfan2349

I appreciate your post and sentiments. I attend local jazz venues regularly and have done this the past 30 years or so. Fortunately the performances in these relatively intimate settings are un-amplified. So the natural beauty and sound of the instruments are un-corrupted or manipulated.

In addition There’s a Steinway Piano Gallery near me that provides a steady amount of live classical and jazz musicians performing (Again, fortunately un-amplified sound). As a music lover, nothing surpasses hearing all these acoustic instruments in these pure and natural settings. My frequency of attendance is once or twice a month.
I have posted pictures of a few of the performers on my system page. My respect and admiration for these talented musicians is immense.

Charles

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