Dvorak 9th Symphony by SSO

Last night was the performance of this very well known piece by Czech composer Dvorak at the Esplanade by the SSO. This piece was first performed in New York in 1893.

I remember hearing and playing the melody from the 2nd slow movement of this symphony years ago when I was playing in my school band, probably when I was in secondary 2. I loved that melody. It was only much later that I heard all the 4 movements of this symphony. One of the rare symphonies where all the 4 movements are memorable with beautiful and captivating melodies.

The guest conductor was Kolja Blacher and he did a very good job coaxing a very impressive performance out of the orchestra. The tempo was good and the playing excellent. No surprise therefore that he was given a standing ovation.

This has always been one of my favourite classical music pieces and I am glad it turned out to be an evening well spent. I didn’t care much for the 2 pieces they played before the intermission and so the hour long wait to hear this was well worth it.

I do find the audiences here a bit annoying; constant coughing and fidgeting during the performance and clapping in between the movements..sigh.. also some were in t shirts and shorts…

And surprisingly, I met so many people there I know.