We tracked the storm on the radar as it came across Wisconsin and then the Lake, building strength all the way. It looked like nothing but a lot of rain until a burst of cold air suddenly dropped down from Canada and walloped it upside the head, and, suddenly, we were being inundated with snow. Big, fat, fluffy flakes of snow.
I don't know why the cancelled school. It was only 3 to 5 inches, which is really nothing in Michigan. But apparently the general slushiness was too much for the buses to handle - and it actually did make the roads a bit difficult to maintain traction - so the kids got a day off. At last!
My only worry was for our evening plans. We had tickets to attend the Symphony. Our second performance out of four. And, so far, we were batting a thousand on the weather. Both times, we were driving downtown in the snow.
Tonight's performance was entitled, "Two Brandenburgs", but instead of being two of the original Bach Brandenburg concertos, it consisted of one Bach, one Moravec concerto, and a Brahms serenade. I guess it's easier to say "Two Brandenburgs" than "One Brandenburg, One Brandenburg-inspired, and One Brahms". Perhaps they could've just gone with "Mosey on Down to the Triple-B".
Again with the snow. The ride down was uneventful. We dined at a nearby restaurant which failed to live up to our expectations, mainly due to poor staffing (ostensibly due to weather) and bad service. (Note to people running Asian restaurants: There is no way you can be Out Of Tea (OOT). That concept does not exist. If you are OOT, you are only a faux-Asian restaurant, and must advertise as such.)
Owing to the fact that the restaurant was nearby, which may be its only saving grace, we were able to endure the delay in receiving our food, walking the short distance to the venue without any need for haste, and arriving in plenty of time to arrange ourselves in our seats before the place had filled up.
The first piece, Bach's Concerto #4, was lovely, as always. Just perfect for putting the addled and anxious mind to rest. It was played wonderfully, complete with harpsichord, which was played by the conductor while he directed the symphony. Quite amusing to watch, as he sat on the bench to play a few measures, then half-rose off the bench to wave his arms at one part of the orchestra or another, then back on the bench to finish the piece.
Interesting bit of trivia of which I had not been aware: early orchestras did not have conductors. Oftentimes they would simply follow the lead musician, who was at the keyboard. So for this first piece, the "conductor" was being very true to the old style.
The second piece was not in actuality a classic Brandenburg from Bach, but a companion or tribute piece, written by a living composer, Paul Moravec. It was called "Brandenburg Gate", which, to my understanding of the introduction (by the composer himself, who was in attendance), was supposed to serve as a bridge (or gate) between the classic melody and beat of the Bach era and the modern era.
I was not impressed. Suffice it to say that "modern" dissonance does not serve to bridge the gap between the symphonic music of Bach and that of today.
The third piece was, thankfully, a return to harmony and peace: Brahm's Serenade #2. Ah, it was wonderful! So peaceful, so happy. So lacking in dissonance.
It was a delightful way to end the evening. We'll just forget about that second piece and call this evening "Bach to Brahms: The Return of Melody".
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