Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood, CA)
Mahler's massive and aptly named Symphony of a Thousand marks Esa-Pekka Salonen's last Hollywood Bowl program as Music Director. Eight superb soloists, the L.A. Master Chorale and the L.A. Children's Chorus join in for this rarely heard and overwhelming musical creation.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
All dates for this event have expired.
The last event was Thursday September 11, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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It was a beautiful night with incredible music!
This was such a special, spectacular performance. I got weepy realizing that it may be the last time I'll hear Esa Pekka at the Bowl. And what a farewell he gave us, a true gift. The orchestra sounded great and all the first chairs seemed to be present as well as the former first chair of percussion playing the second set of kettle drums next to Raynor Carroll our superb current first chair. Martin Chalifour was eloquent in his solo violin with chorus and soloists. The soloists featured truly PLUSH casting: Christine Brewer, a current leading Wagnerian, Anthony Dean Griffey, a blessed replacement as one of the most interesting tenors around, Alan Held, a fine Met baritone and John Relyea who was so moving as Banquo in the Met's HD broadcast this past season. The replacement Alto, Nancy Maultsby reminded me of Christa Ludwig in tone, and Stacey Tappan as the heavenly voice, managing to sound ethereal rather than terrified, was most effective singing from the "flying saucer" near the Bowl's ceiling. The LA Master Chorale and LA Children's chorus handled their monumental music with feeling and skill. I love the 8th so much that I went back again on Thursday night--after all, how often can such mammoth forces be assembled. We are very fortunate that Esa Pekka chose this as his farewell gift to us.
Elisabeth O. Clark, Ph.D.
magnificent
In terms of the music and the experience at the Bowl it was great. However going by bus this time was more of a problem. Instead of one hour it took 1 hr 40 minutes; everybody on the bus felt the bus company should have anticipated Thursday trafficand have an earlier schdule. Also with all the additional fees the bus ride cost $8.90 instead of $5. Had i known I could have gotten in line waiting for the bus as the others did who done it before and only paid $5. That was somewaht irritating,,,,,
It was a perfect evening. The music was absolutely incredible.
The ticketing process and event details went as smooth as Obama. The performance itself was more exciting than a Sarah Palin action figure!
This was a stupendous performance of one of Mahler's most difficult works. First class in every way. There were a few mis-steps from the trumpets and the beginning was a little rough - the strings sounded ragged and out of sync in the opening bars. But after a few moments, Salonen got them in all line and got some extraordinary playing from the entire orchestra. Salonen assembled a world-class array of soloists: Christine Brewer, Anthony Dean Griffey (subbing for Brandon Jovanovich), Eliza Van Den Heever, Elena Manistina, Nancy Maulstby (subbing for Monica Groop) Stacey Tappan, John Relyea and Alan Held. All were mostly wonderful but I have to note two: Brewer sounded horrible in the first movement but after warming up, sounded glorious with heart-stopping piano notes. Griffey stole the vocal show. I first saw him 10 years ago in Peter Grimes and the voice is consistently sweet and evenly produced but filled with passion and fire. A real treasure. One final note: Stacey Tappan made her appearance in the lights high above the orchestra and soloists. This was a sensational effect as she called upon the penitents to "Look up to find redemption". A fantastic evening.
It was a fabulous, moving and exhausting performance as only Mahler can be when performed by the best.
The principal singers all had incredible voices and the chorus was exceptional.
Hard to pull off in the Bowl. Not a knockout in critical terms of Mahler performance, but as an overall presentation it was unique, and yes, spectacular.
Mahler: If some brass is good, then lots of brass is better!
It was a fabulous performance made all the more so because it wasn't the usual "light fare" you get from all orchestras during the summer. Salonen and the LA Phil are both very dedicated and it is always a pleasure to see them at work.
Parked at the zoo and took a shuttle bus. Much easier and cheaper than driving to the bowl. Loved the music. People weren't nasty if you spilled-over into their seats, they just moved over. (there were empty seats.) Most in this section were really into the music and did not talk. (My husband hates talkers.) Great time!
Superb, it had everything in music you dream about. Esa-Pekka Salonen was masterfull, the L.A. philharmonic, the choir, and the singers could not be matched in any progam of this magnitude.
This was a unique concert event with a truly great performance. Picking up my tickets at the box office was quick, easy and a great saving.
My fault for not researching first - just not my thing.
Was wonderful experience. The acoustics is not good for classical music, but again the experience itself is very enjoyable. More Hollywood Bowl performances, please!!!!
Excellent concert
M3 seats from Goldstar are quite a ways back, but the sound is fine, and well centered. Binoculars are a help, better detail and more choice than projected closeups.
Park and ride bus a good $5 option for those farther out, but hollywoodbowl website makes it hard to get detail info. Try entering zip for town where map shows a stop.
Goldstar service was excellent and responsive.
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