With the stage extended out to accommodate the sixty-four members of the Choral Art Society, Demos sat closer than usual at the most recent performance of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He was in the third row from the stage and commented that the increase in volume was significant. Amy sat in the fourth row while Josh took Jack and Karen’s seats in the balcony.There was no intermission and it was like the orchestra was pulling us along on a ride at a faster pace than usual. Another special feature of this performance was a very large screen that featured pictures of the various planets. Amy thought it was brave but risky to do this at a symphony performance that traditionally has been a strictly auditory experience. One criticism was that a number of the photographs were not of the best quality.
As the concert progressed through Holst’s seven movements, each section distinguished itself as a musical metaphor for one of the seven planets. For example, Mars, named for the god of war, had a militant sound. Amy really enjoyed the parts that featured the first violinist and later the two harps in the Venus movement.
This was the program we enjoyed on the night of November 9, 2010:
JOHN ADAMS Fanfare for Orchestra: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
JOHN WILLIAMS Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
GUSTAV HOLST The Planets, Op. 32/H 125
