Sat front row at the symphony...
Yesterday, I got to sit in the front row to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony do Beethoven's Piano Concerto no 1 and the Shostakovich Symphony no 10. I know we all talk about audio gear here, but I have to tell you, sitting in the best seat in the house (Heinz Hall) was an amazing audio experience. I'm not sure the best audio gear in the world can quite match it. Maybe I'm wrong, but I was mesmerized by the acoustics of the hall and the dynamics of one of the world's best orchestras.
Yes, very front row is good but not best unless you like wide soundstages or looking up violinists' armpits. I would say 7 to 10 rows back. And although OP specifies an orchestral concert, in a piano concerto it is good to side halfway to the left, on the 'keyboard side' so you can watch the pianist working. |
@czarivey Well, most concerts I've been to the lady violists wear long flowing dresses or skirts. While they like to keep their bowing arm free to move and so often have tops cut to the shoulders. |
