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| CIRCUS MAXIMUS -- Carnegie Hall, 2/27 |
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Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:08 pm
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Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Location: New York, NY
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Hey guys,
Who here had the lucky fortune to be at the NYC premiere (or the UT/World premiere, for that matter) of Corigliano's Symphony #3? I was there today, and here are my thoughts:
First of all, what an ensemble! Their consistency of tone, intonation, and balance through the *many* styles presented today was truly amazing.
John Corigliano has really outdone himself this time. I was sitting in the Dress Circle (third balcony), in the center section, and the stereophonic/surround-sound effect was nothing short of incredible. The audience seemed to really love it as well: whenever a new voice would come in, everyone would eagerly try to find it, even if we couldn't see it from our vantage point. Seeing an audience get so visibly excited about a new piece was a refreshing change from most orchestral concerts I've attended, where the new seems to be viewed as something to sit through on your way to your old favorites... I overheard a woman after the concert, talking to one of the performers (presumably they were family): "It was... different. No, it was REALLY different. It was actually really, really shocking. But I LOVED it!"
The work's eight movements (which are played without pause) were lushly beautiful (VII: Prayer), haunting (III: Screen/Siren, IV: Night Music I), overwhelming in their activity (III: Channel Surfing, VI: Circus Maximus), and terrifying (I. Introitus, III: Channel Surfing, VI: Circus Maximus, VIII: Coda--Veritas).
After the performance, I was speechless. I'm still having trouble describing how the piece made me feel, but I think that this is, without a doubt, one of the most important pieces of the last 50 years for ANY ensemble. I really hope any ensemble that's large enough (!) to play it jumps on the opportunity. This piece deserves to be heard again and again.
For those of you who were there (I know at least two BCMers were: Steve B and Jonathan N, I was the one guy waiting outside the stage door after the show), what were your thoughts?
Mr. Corigliano is coming to NYU to lecture on this piece in a few weeks, and I'm really itching to know what he has to say.
Take care, all,
Jeremy
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Jeremy Beck
Music Composition
The Steinhardt School
New York University |
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Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:56 am
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Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Houston, Tx
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I totally agree w/ the "one of the most important pieces of the last 50 years" comment.... Was at the TMEA "playing" of the piece, and even though I didn't hear it without breaks, it was breathtaking... I can't imagine how much better the ensemble must've been since TMEA... So, anyone know whats the plan as far as recording this beast of a piece? I need to hear it SO bad... lol....
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Aaron J. Majors |
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Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:10 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 621
Location: New York City
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My two words:
HOLY CR*P.
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Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:35 pm
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Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 29
Location: New York, NY
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My two words were similar... though more vulgar. 
I ran into my program director outside the hall, and he asked me what I thought. I tried to explain myself, but all that I could force out was "OH MY GOD" several times before I started giggling. He laughed, patted me on the shoulder, and said, "We'll talk."
--Jeremy
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Jeremy Beck
Music Composition
The Steinhardt School
New York University |
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Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:33 pm
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Site Admin
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 384
Location: Austin, TX
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| Newman wrote: | My two words:
HOLY CR*P.
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Indeed.
This may have been the most intense spectacle in concert music I have experienced. Approached rock-concert volume levels, but without the numbness that sets in after awhile.
It is quite literally what the title implies - a relentless circus of entertainment. The climax chord, which I wrote about on the blog while at TMEA, was EVEN LOUDER here. More accurately, it has a presence and physical pressure to it you simply have to experience to believe (I'm trying to avoid clichés here, but it's difficult).
All that said, it's not a deeply emotional work like Symphony No. 1. There's little in the way of affective melody, though there's some deeply sensuous music for the sax section in Screen/Siren. The emotional response to the piece comes from the sheer physicality of it - you simply cannot help but react to the intensity. It's beyond your control.
I loved experiencing it, but it's exhausting. I don't know how it will translate to a recording - I believe UT Austin will be recording it to 5.1 (either DVD or SuperAudio CD - not sure which) soon. You can't record it any other way - the piece is impossible to experience properly without the surround aspect.
And that's my mangled, rambling take on it... |
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Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:47 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 621
Location: New York City
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Allow me be slightly more descriptive of my feelings:
Corigliano's CIRCUS MAXIMUS is a marvelous work. When my jaw wasn't on the floor, agape with wonder and joy, I was tearing up at the stunning beauty and the dizzying mastery of craft. He didn't just write the best band piece ever, he wrote one of THE pieces, period.
I'm still kind of speechless --- and I'm actually misting up as I write this and think about that piece ... Oy! |
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Sun Mar 06, 2005 2:08 am
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Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 8
Location: Austin, TX
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I had the awesome chance to be at the world premiere of Circus Maximus, and let me say that it was the most spectaculously awesome concert I have ever had the fortune to attend.
To me, this really has to be one of the most important pieces in the history of music. It is bold, powerful, and original in the most stunning of ways. This is THE piece of music for band.
btw, the very first piece on the program, that Baroque thing, put me to sleep. I guess things have to get worse before they can get better.
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I read alot of stuff. That is something I know for a fact.
I am the best at what I do-being a smart ass. |
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Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:28 pm
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Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 1955
Location: Oklahoma City
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I heard Carmina Burana live on Sunday, and honestly it's probably the loudest thing I've ever heard, so I want to see this piece performed SOOO badly.
Anybody have any guesses as to how many performances this piece is going to recieve a year?
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-Trevor |
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Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:37 pm
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Joined: 02 Sep 2003
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Location: New York, NY
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Well, I've seen Carmina Burana live... and this was louder. Much louder. It shook the walls, the floor, the chairs, the PEOPLE... it was LOUD.
--Jer
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Jeremy Beck
Music Composition
The Steinhardt School
New York University |
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Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:01 pm
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Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 1955
Location: Oklahoma City
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I know that...and after hearing Carmina Burana, I want to hear this HUGE MASSIVELY LOUD piece...And I want to see some old people in the room too...maybe that's cruel....but It would be HYSTERICAL.
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-Trevor |
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Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:32 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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Location: New York City
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| No kidding aside, the new Corigliano has the loudest music I've ever heard in concert music. Ever. And yes, I've heard Carmina Burana. And Pines of Rome. And they are no competition. I mean LOUD. It was fantastic. |
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Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:43 pm
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Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 61
Location: Eastern Washington
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Suddenly I wish I lived where you guys live. I sincerely hope they come out wiht a 5.1 DTS disc for this as my system will be up to the task
Envy...eating me alive...gargh! |
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Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:25 pm
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Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 1955
Location: Oklahoma City
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Even if they do come out with the surround disk...it's still going to take ONE HECK OF A SYSTEM to even get started working towards being somewhat like the real performance.
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-Trevor |
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Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:57 pm
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Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Houston, Tx
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When Corigliano was at my school last week, we listened to a recording of Circus Maximus and followed along w/ the score... Granted, it didn't do it justice at all (I've heard it live once (sorta) at TMEA) and was stereo, but it still got the point across and was a good listen...
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Aaron J. Majors |
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Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:59 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 621
Location: New York City
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| It will be a surround disc. I think that's pretty set. It will sound great, no doubt. But remember, NO recording is better than live...so I wouldn't stress about it too much |
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