REVIEW: NY Phil

If you look closely, you can see the author at the top of the I. Coincidentally, his name is also Phil *gasp*
If you look closely, you can see the author at the top of the I. Coincidentally, his name is also Phil *gasp*

The NY Philharmonic Orchestra came to Ann Arbor last weekend (Oct 9-11) for a series of performances. They hosted master classes, played THREE SEPARATE SHOWS at Hill Auditorium, and members of the brass section played alongside the Michigan Marching Band in the UM-Northwestern halftime show on Saturday. The author went to three of these events, but is only getting paid to write about one (…). Nonetheless, all three performances will be elaborated upon in a holistic review of the weekend. Ya get three for the price of one. Journalism, mon amis.

The festivities really started Friday afternoon. There was a sound check for that Saturday’s performance in the Big House, which required all participating members to be present. Joining the MMB and the brass section of the NY Phil was the UMS Choral Union and Alumni Band (former MMB members). Upon entering the stadium, the author noticed the aura of Alan Gilbert, the musical director of the NY Phil, emanating from the ladder on top of which he stood. He was wearing a Bo Schemblechler cap (with a thin M) – Go Blue.

Alan Gilbert with the Bo hat
Alan Gilbert with the Bo hat.

The rehearsal was open to the public, and the crowd was quite impressive for the event, with about 2,000 ballpark estimated attendees. The combined rehearsal started with a run through of the closer for the halftime show, a medley of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from the Finale of his 9th Symphony. On first run, dynamics were simply stunning, and the timbre and tone were good enough to elicit the grandiose feel associated with the music. After Gilbert released the last fermata, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. And when the author says erupted, he means that not one person was sitting milliseconds after the piece ended. The author and his counterparts have never received such admiration, and subsequently exploded in elation at what had just occurred.

Friday evening was the first performance by the NY Phil at Hill Auditorium. On the docket was Magnus Lindberg’s Vivo, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 7. The author sprinted from rehearsal in Michigan Stadium to Hill Auditorium with enough time to grab a 780 calorie burrito from 7-11 for dinner (college, amirite?). 30 stories higher with a sudden nosebleed, the author watched over the 3,500 person crowd, a good mix of the geriatric, young, and stable middle-aged in awe. There is nothing quite like sitting in a venue such as Hill when it is packed with dressed-up people who are as giddy for a performance as you are. It is simply a cherished moment in life. If you have never experience such a moment, the author suggests you get a date and do it. Then comment on how great it was. Asides aside, the NY Phil did exactly as any orchestra of their caliber would do. They played exceptionally, with only slight caveats being pointed out by Gilbert’s conducting style and otherwise unnoticeable. The author was particularly excited to hear Beethoven’s 7th symphony, and he got what was expected. One qualm about this specific interpretation was that it felt quiet and slow. This might be a conflict with the author’s personal style and expectations of the piece after hearing several (many, many) renditions of the 7th on YouTube and contrasting that with Gilbert’s interpretation. The author is not sore. The second piece, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 was slated to be a close second favorite for the night until he remembered how he did not enjoy the works of Beethoven’s early period, the piano period. What can ya do. The piece was played very beautifully and brilliantly executed by the soloist, Inon Bartanan.

Music from the halftime show. Swan Lake/ Ode to Joy
Music from the halftime show. Swan Lake / Ode to Joy.

The halftime show on Saturday revealed a different side of music to people who may not necessarily understand what high proficiency and status in the music world looks like. MMB director John Pasquale said that quite literally nothing like this has ever happened on a football field before. And he is right. The performance not only pushed the boundaries of what is possible by college marching bands but also put on display some of the best performers to ever play their instrument. The numerous responses of admiration only accentuate how this event was perceived by the public. From a first-hand perspective, being on the field and conducted by a maestro such as Gilbert, in front of 110,500 people, the author can tell you that the experience was nothing short of spectacular. In addition to the two aforementioned pieces, the combined forces played exerpts from Ravel’s Bolero, Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Requiem, Wagner’s Ritt der Walkuren (Ride of the Valkyries), and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben. Click here to see the entire show.

Saturday night was another class-act performance by the NY Phil. On the bill was Esa Pekka Salonen’s L.A. Variations and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben. L.A. Variations served to be a nice piece, albeit one that will have to be listened to again to fully appreciate. Ein Heldenleben, meaning a hero’s life for those of you who didn’t take German 201, was a piece that the author had not heard before, but was a surprising treat. Strauss’ tone poem goes through six facets of the hero’s life, with no pauses in between. Ein Heldenleben is said to be semi-autobiographical in that Strauss quotes many of his previous works in the piece. If one listens intently during the fifth movement some passages from Don Juan and Also Sprach Zarathustra can be identified.

It goes without saying, the quality of performers in the NY Philharmonic Orchestra is the top tier of the music world. Alan Gilbert is a man’s man’s conductor, and is a treat to learn from – his evocative movements contort the sound of the orchestra to suit his liking quite effectively. As a semi-amateur conductor, the author can elucidate that conducting is not easy; there is much psychology that goes into the role. All in all having the NY Phil on campus this past week was a huge treat. It brought huge exposure to music and to the State of Michigan, two things that are very near and dear to the author. Go Blue.

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REVIEW: Band-O-Rama: Let’s Go BOO!

 

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance here at Michigan is renown for their fantastic faculty and wonderful performing ensembles. Band-O-Rama, an annual showcase of the School’s wind ensembles gave us a mouthful of praise for these ensembles.

The night started off with the University Concert Band, led by Courtney Snyder, as they played a Sousa-esque march in ‘Michigan on Parade,’ ‘Blues for a Killed Kat,’ and Mackey’s Redline Tango.’ The University Symphony Band soon took over. Under the direction of longtime Director of Bands, Michael Haithcock, The Symphony Band played a few excerpts from works such as Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Snow Maiden,’ and Puccini’s ‘LeVilli.’ To finish it off, they played a rousing rendition of the great ‘Victor’s Valiant.’

Intermission

The crowd came to a hush as the drumline entered the stage. They were standing in their traditional set when the lead snare started giving taps, signaling that the band was about to enter.

The MMB onstage at Hill Auditorium
The MMB onstage at Hill Auditorium, Courtesy of the MMB

Soon after, around 300 disciplined Michigan Marching band men and women rushed onto the stage from the aisles, in a style in which their thighs were parallel with the ground (this style is usually referred to as ‘entries’).  The aerobic exercise these people were getting could be deduced from the visible sweat pouring from their faces. It was impressive to say the least. A seemingly grueling two and a half minutes went by, as all of the members made their way onstage. After everyone was in their calculated spot, director John Pasquale gave a large motion downbeat, signaling the band to play the M Fanfare. Audience members that were aware of the tradition associated with the playing of the M Fanfare raised their right fist in a reverent salute, while the unaware soon followed suit. The culmination of the last fermata led right into a playing of The Victors, thus fully grabbing and engaging the audience for the rest of the night. Over the course of the MMB’s performance, they played songs from their recent halftime shows, such as Kesha’s ‘Timber,’ Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory,’ swing tunes such as Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman,” Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ (yes, that one!), and the traditional ‘Little Brown Jug.’ A real treat, as always, was when the Drumline came center stage to play their cadences and specific repertoire. In addition to giving the brass a break for their embouchure’s sake, the Drumline cranked out highly impressive performances of their parade cadence and step show, showcasing their high level of talent and expertise to an eager audience. The event then closed off with the standard combination of ‘Temptation’ and ‘Hawaiian War Chant,’ “because you can’t have one without the other,”  and a beautiful rendition of the Alma Mater followed by ‘The Victors.’

REVIEW: Crisler Concert

The MMB covers the stage for the 33rd Annual Crisler Concert
The MMB covers the stage for the 33rd Annual Crisler Concert

The spirit of over 400 Michigan Marching Band members and 300 high school bands students from across Michigan rang throughout Crisler Center on Sunday, November 17 for the 33rd Annual Crisler Concert. With the entire floor filled corner to corner with band members playing season favorites from halftime shows, the entire venue sat back and relaxed for an afternoon filled with beautifully executed band music for a 90-minute bill.

Although the music played was the same tunes we’ve been hearing all season, the show was still a spectacular undertaking. It was not just a concert to be heard, but one to take part in to. The MMB, including the Michigan Dance Team, encouraged audience participation during sing-along tunes like “Sweet Caroline” and “Radioactive,” as well as demonstrating the “I Can’t Turn You Loose” Blues Brothers dance. Crisler’s Jumbotron was used to zoom in on band members and highlight the audience too, and added a neat visual experience to simply just watching the band play in place.

Before the end of the first half, high school marching band members joined the MMB to play alongside them for three pieces. These students attended workshops and sectionals to learn the music and show directions for the concert. With over 700 students on the floor, the sound was the good kind of loud and super impressive. It was noted that many current MMB members played their first time with the MMB as high school students during their Crisler Concert.

During intermission, high school color guards joined the MMB Flags for a visually delightful number to Lady Gaga’s “Applause.” Seeing the myraid of color on the stage, choreographed to the energetic piece, certaintly highlighted the talents these students have when handling the large flags. The Michigan Dance Team also performed two numbers, one a hip hop routine which they will be using in January at a collegiate dance competition. That number was one of my favorites of the non-MMB portion of the program. To round out intermission, the Drumline performed rhythmically well, as they usually do.

I can’t stress enough how talented the MMB members are, and director John Pasquale certainly attested to this before he began the second half, referencing how he can not find anywhere where there are more intellectual and creative people in one group. The second half highlights included MMB’s traditional “Temptation” and “Hawaiian War Chant,” and concluding with “The Victors,” getting everyone out of their seats and cheering for the maize and blue.

If you haven’t been to a Crisler Concert yet, I’d highly recommend it. It’s one of the few times the MMB performs outside of half-time, and you can hear the music much clearer in a contained space than on the open field in the Big House. Kudos, MMB, for putting on such a great show!

PREVIEW: Crisler Concert

The MMB played under the lights during Notre Dames half time for the Beyonce show, 9/7/13
The MMB played under the lights during Notre Dame's half time for the Beyoncé show, 9/7/13. Photo by Gabriella Ring

Who: The Michigan Marching Band

What: Crisler Concert!

When: Sunday, November 17 at 5 p.m.

Where: Crisler Arena

Tickets: General admission $10 for adults and $3 for children age 11 or younger

The Michigan Marching Band’s annual Crisler Concert positions the band at the center of the basketball arena’s stage for an afternoon of halftime and pre-game favorites. It’s one of the last times the band’s all together before a potential bowl trip. You don’t want to miss the MMB project their powerful sound this Sunday.

Like the MMB on Facebook or preview some favorite half time performances on their YouTube channel.

REVIEW: Band-O-Rama

The Michigan Marching Band graces the stage at Hill Auditorium.
The Michigan Marching Band graces the stage at Hill Auditorium.

Last night at 100-year-old Hill Auditorium, the bands of Michigan converged onto one stage for Band-O-Rama. While the first half of the show felt like a typical band concert with the concert and symphony band performing signature pieces, the second half featuring the marching band really riled up the crowed while performing fan favorites from this year’s shows and previous seasons. Perhaps my favorite part of the show was listening to Carl Grapenstine, “The Voice of the Michigan Band” for 44 years, announcing each number. He’s the man behind introducing the band at home football games, so to hear and see him looking dapper at Hill Auditorium was quite the treat.

Each song was selected with the show’s theme “This is Michigan!” to highlight student musicians accomplishment through music. Indeed, the concert and symphony segment of the program did just that. My favorite number from the concert band was their performance of “Summon the Heroes” composed by John Williams, which reminded me of Olympic fanfare used at the London games last year. The symphony band piece concluding piece “Victors Valiant” rounded out their segment quite well, with Michigan themes heard sprinkled throughout.

Once the stage was cleared for the marching band to arrive, my excitement levels grew. The best part about Band-O-Rama is being able to hear music from the half-time shows without the roaring crowds of Michigan Stadium. Hill Auditorium amplifies the music and lets concert goers become immersed in the awesome renditions. Highlights from the Beyonce show of the Notre Dame game, the sing-along at homecoming and Motown favorites graced the bill for MMB’s first half, among many other pieces. The drum line split up their set with a few choice numbers to keep the energy going in the auditorium. In MMB’s second set, they continued with hit after hit including stadium favorites “Sweet Caroline” and “Temptation.” Additionally, the band cleared part of the stage for the man of the show to walk through. Michigan football coach Brady Hoke thanked the Michigan Marching Band for their continued support of the football program and received an honorary band alumni membership.

Overall, I enjoyed the marching band portion of the program more than the concert and symphony band portion likely because the MMB’s exposure is far greater than the other two. Nevertheless, all bands present did a fine job of supporting the “This is Michigan!” theme. On a fall Saturday night, it doesn’t get any better than Michigan band.


The Michigan Marching Band will appear again in concert at the Crisler Concert November 17. Until then, catch them on the field at the next home football game against Nebraska on November 9.