This past Friday I had the good fortune to see the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra up at Symphony Space.
The program opened with a new piece by conductor Jonathan Schiffman, a spry triptych of Paris-inspired themes called “Three Streets.”
Guest virtuoso Sooyun Kim more-than-dazzled with the Mozart Flute Concerto #2. She played in a very demonstrative style, just-subtley swaying to the music in a way I found fantastic. She also wore, if I may be so tacky as to discuss wardrobe, a fabulous red dress.
Best was last, though, with Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” A bit of an MTV hit, but who would deny it wasn’t just what the doctor ordered. It is a dynamite selection & I’ve been humming it ever since.
I can’t deny admitting one other pleasure of the performance. The concert was well-attended, orchestra seating almost at capacity. The mezzanine, however, was close to empty. Particularly stage-right — because it is very difficult to get to the mezzanine stage-right. (I don’t know why, but you either need to go back into the lobby and hit the stairs/elevator or wiggle around the sound guy in the middle of the mezzanine.)
Obviously, I made a bee-line for this part of the auditorium. And there I sat, like an Emporer of Vienna, my own private symphony orchestra performing for me and me alone! It was some good, anti-social fun.
