Jeff's Virtual Beach

Honolulu, HI

Montego Bay, Jamaica

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Rehoboth Beach Weekend

Slide Shows

Concert Rating
Don't Miss, Yes, Maybe, No, Avoid

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Kimmel Center, 6/16/2009...Our final concert in the Philadelphia Orchestra's Monumental Works series, with the featured works being Images by Claude Debussy and Symphony No. 5 by Dmitri Shostakovich . Again the orchestra was excellent, but I enjoyed the Debussy more than the Shostakovich. I found the variety of the the three movements - England, France, and Spain - more interesting. I have also recently read comments about Debussy with respect to impressionism, his "breaking the rules" of classical form, and opportunities for improvisation within his works that probably led to my greater interest in his work.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Kimmel Center, 4/29/2009...Our fourth concert in the Philadelphia Orchestra's Monumental Works series, presenting a single work, The Damnation of Faust by Hector Berlioz. As always the orchestra was excellent. English subtitles of the French lyrics were provided, which helped to provide continuity and understanding of the story. As I listened to the French lyrics and tried to keep up, two things were apparent...the subtitles were not literal (which would only bother those of us trying to translate as we listened) and Faust himself was easier to understand than either of the other two performers.

Bruce Springsteen

The Spectrum, 4/28/2009...2 hours and 45 minutes nonstop, very little filler, just one song after another. This was Bruce's last stop at the Spectrum, and at least day one of the two was a good one. What struck me most is that he really seems to be having fun. He interacts with the audience a lot. Especially with younger kids…sitting down at the edge of the stage and letting sing into the mic during a number of song choruses. People hold up signs to make requests, and he grabs the signs, stands them up in front of the stage, and then does the song. Interesting seeing Max Weinburg on drums, followed by his 18 year old son Jay, who was very good as well.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Kimmel Center, 3/19/2009...Our third concert in the Philadelphia Orchestra's Monumental Works series, with the featured work being The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. As usual the orchestra was excellent, but it is a multi part 45 minute piece that tells a story, with the part that is recognized at the very end. Somehow identifying the various parts during the concert would help in the understanding and enjoyment of the performance.

Al Stewart

The Colonial Theatre, 3/5/2009...A treat, Al doing the entire Year of the Cat album, plus some recent tracks and other requests, accompanied by Dave Nachmanoff on lead guitar. The two of them provided a nice full sound, not quite a full stage band, but a welcome change from the solo concerts Al has done recently. However, the pleasure in an Al Stewart concert is Al himself. Close your eyes and it is the same voice from years ago. Open them, and you see this middle aged, witty, engaging British gentleman, seemingly as comfortable on stage as in his own living room. The songs are intelligent, all have a story to tell, and Al is a master story teller.

Simon Shaheen

The Kimmel Center, 2/1/2009...Shaheen is a Palestinian composer and master of the oud (like a guitar with a large body and short neck) and violin. In this concert, on traditional instruments, he and the band blended Arabic, jazz, and other world influences into a sound that reached across nationalities and even decades. He also spoke of working with youth in the US and in the Middle East, such as the Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture in Philadelphia with whom he had spent several days, and of trying to use music to bridge differences. A moving concert.

Links

Oman

Alydan
Consulting

France 2005

American Music Abroad 2003

The Pennsylvania Flute Choir

Chester County Concert Band

Barr Art Works

Matt Brown (old time fiddle music)

5-String Productions