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??? My First Classical Concert,What Can I Expect ???

 In my 65 years I've been to somewhere around 1000 rock/blues/reggae concerts..I've seen them all at one time or another,Led Zepp,The Stones,The Who,Pink Floyd,Carlos Santanna,SRV,BB King,Marley,Tosh,Cliff & on & on..
 But in all those concerts,I've never been to a Classical Concert..Well I decided to change that & am going to my first one in early June..Nothing big time,our small town symphony performing Bachs Brandenburg  Concerto's  at one of the bigger churches of about 500 seats..
 We'll be 6 rows from the stage,second & third seats in from center isle..In all the concerts I've ever been to,I don't ever recall listening for imaging or staging or micro detail or any of the things I sometimes listen for at home..I'm curious what I can expect regarding the Acoustics & if I get into critical listening mode what to look for as far as the technical aspects of the performance..
 Am I overthinking this adventure,should I just sit back & let the experience flow whatever direction it takes?What are your thoughts?

freediver
lanx0003
1,072 posts
 

To set appropriate expectations, it's important to do some homework before attending any concert—not just your first:

(1) Study the music beforehand. Understanding the background, composition style, and historical context of the pieces allows for a deeper connection with the performance.

(2) Listen to high-quality recordings of the pieces beforehand.  It can familiarize you with the themes and structures, making the live rendition more impactful. It allows you to notice subtle differences in interpretation and performance, deepening your understanding and enjoyment of the music.

(3) Attend pre-concert talks or reading program notes. This can provide valuable insights into the composer's intentions and the nuances of the music,  enrich your appreciation and heighten your anticipation and enjoyment of the live performance.

*** Transform your experience from passive listening to active engagement.

sns
3,805 posts
 

Unruly crowds, this my pet peeve. I've had so many concerts absolutely shattered by loud mouths, people over reacting, its like they want to be the star of the show, make themselves heard. I'm not there to hear you!

rayd
84 posts
 

Sit back and enjoy the sounds of both the individual instruments and the instruments as an ensemble.  You may be surprised at what each live acoustic instrument sounds like vs. a recorded acoustic instrument.

erik_squires
16,732 posts
 

No matter where you sit imagining wikl be crap.

 

🤣🤣🤣

arnieco
6 posts
 

Congratulations. The brandenburg concertos are impossible not to like. Acoustics wise, I'm not a fan of churches as they were not designed for ensemble music.

Due to all the hard surfaces, and a rectangle, the reverb has a long life. I would suggest listening to the concertos ahead of time, and what you may notice is they may play it slower to allow for the reverb to decrease, otherwise you have a mix of current plus previous.

So if you like it a little, my suggestion is to see a piece at a music venue.
In a music venue, small ensemble, no sound system, it can sound great. You hear all the instruments, and the audience is quiet.

Good luck.

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