Comments for Let's Go BPO! http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com Stories, jokes, and secrets of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra! Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:47:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Ask a Question by Janz http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-69 Janz Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:23:20 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-69 Management works in mysterious ways... Management works in mysterious ways…

]]> Comment on Ask a Question by John http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-68 John Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:02:51 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-68 Hi Janz, Sorry, you're right - I was looking at the entries under "Ask a Queston" which don't seem to get much attention. Actually, the question I was asking was why Jen was reaching out to musicians about their opinions re: GBYO through this site and not through some other means. It seemed more fitting for an internal communication rather than a public one. Re: your comment: "I can report that communication between management and musicians is very active and quite healthy", I don't know about the management but one can see during concerts that the communication is quite healthy between the musicians anyway! ;) Hi Janz,
Sorry, you’re right - I was looking at the entries under “Ask a Queston” which don’t seem to get much attention.

Actually, the question I was asking was why Jen was reaching out to musicians about their opinions re: GBYO through this site and not through some other means. It seemed more fitting for an internal communication rather than a public one.

Re: your comment: “I can report that communication between management and musicians is very active and quite healthy”, I don’t know about the management but one can see during concerts that the communication is quite healthy between the musicians anyway! ;)

]]> Comment on Ask a Question by Kate http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-67 Kate Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:02:04 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-67 Andi! Thank you so much for coming to our concert! I really like the Botanical Gardens show. It's such a pretty venue, and we always get such an appreciative, friendly crowd. I am truly honored that you were inspired to practice your violin upon returning home. I'm glad you got to talk to a few musicians- and just as a note to other readers, most BPO musicians love talking to and interacting with concert goers. So thanks for not being shy, Andi! Andi! Thank you so much for coming to our concert! I really like the Botanical Gardens show. It’s such a pretty venue, and we always get such an appreciative, friendly crowd. I am truly honored that you were inspired to practice your violin upon returning home. I’m glad you got to talk to a few musicians- and just as a note to other readers, most BPO musicians love talking to and interacting with concert goers. So thanks for not being shy, Andi!

]]> Comment on Ask a Question by andi http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-66 andi Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:18:18 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-66 Hi! I was at the concert at the Botantical Gardens tonight and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it, but there aren't really words for that. Suffice it to say that I came home and practiced my own violin. :) I got to talk to a couple of violinists and the conductor afterwards, it was so kind of them to take the time to answer questions and talk with us. Thanks so much for a wonderful evening. Andi. Hi!

I was at the concert at the Botantical Gardens tonight and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it, but there aren’t really words for that. Suffice it to say that I came home and practiced my own violin. :)
I got to talk to a couple of violinists and the conductor afterwards, it was so kind of them to take the time to answer questions and talk with us.
Thanks so much for a wonderful evening.

Andi.

]]> Comment on Ask a Question by Janz http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-65 Janz Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:06:44 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-65 John, thanks for your comment. Actually, the blog has had an entry since April, one dated June 22. I'm surprised you didn't see it on your way in! We would post more, but we do have to practice for our concerts!! As to the idea that communication is at an all time low, I could not disagree more. As a member of the orchestra I can assure you that this blog is not the only means of communication between the musicians and staff! Actually, this blog is not a means of communication between staff and musicians at all. Furthermore, I can report that communication between management and musicians is very active and quite healthy. As to your parenthetical comment about the amount of attention our blog is getting, I am happy to inform you that people ACTUALLY read the blog!! Readers do seem a little shy to post comments or ask questions, but they do stop by to read. Finally, as many of our readers already know, Let's Go BPO! is written and run by the musicians, not staff. We are in no way affiliated with or governed by the BPO. If you have any comments or suggestions for the staff or management about reconfiguration or anything else, you can get contact information for them at their website, http://bpo.org/html/staff.html John, thanks for your comment. Actually, the blog has had an entry since April, one dated June 22. I’m surprised you didn’t see it on your way in! We would post more, but we do have to practice for our concerts!! As to the idea that communication is at an all time low, I could not disagree more. As a member of the orchestra I can assure you that this blog is not the only means of communication between the musicians and staff! Actually, this blog is not a means of communication between staff and musicians at all. Furthermore, I can report that communication between management and musicians is very active and quite healthy.
As to your parenthetical comment about the amount of attention our blog is getting, I am happy to inform you that people ACTUALLY read the blog!! Readers do seem a little shy to post comments or ask questions, but they do stop by to read.
Finally, as many of our readers already know, Let’s Go BPO! is written and run by the musicians, not staff. We are in no way affiliated with or governed by the BPO. If you have any comments or suggestions for the staff or management about reconfiguration or anything else, you can get contact information for them at their website, http://bpo.org/html/staff.html

]]> Comment on Ask a Question by John http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-64 John Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:46:22 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/ask-a-question-2/#comment-64 I'm thinking the communication within the orchestra community has to be at an all time low if a member of the staff can only reach a musician(s) by way of a blog that hasn't had an entry since April. This is not intended to be an insult toward the whole idea of a blog (even though it doesn't seem to be receiving too much attention), but an obvious call for some reconfiguration within the organization. I’m thinking the communication within the orchestra community has to be at an all time low if a member of the staff can only reach a musician(s) by way of a blog that hasn’t had an entry since April. This is not intended to be an insult toward the whole idea of a blog (even though it doesn’t seem to be receiving too much attention), but an obvious call for some reconfiguration within the organization.

]]> Comment on Verdi and the Mambo Kings by Ann http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/verdi-and-the-mambo-kings/#comment-61 Ann Mon, 26 May 2008 19:47:17 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-61 The "Illumination" I saw a few years ago in Aspen was "Who Killed Mozart?". The music was great of course, but the script used elements from the TV show Law & Order and turned out rather silly. I like Law & Order (and its variations) so when the show's characteristic two-note sound byte was used, it was very funny...the first time. They used the sound clip several times and it quickly lost the novelty. The "Illumination" seemed to focus more on the kitschy gimmick of Law & Order rather than Mozart or his music. I thought I had seen at least one other of his Illuminations at the Aspen Music Festival, but my husband informs me we were working during the concert, so we only saw portions of it. I saw part of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony performed during the "Russian David, Soviet Goliath" Illumination, but I don't think I watched any of the scripted portion. I did see the actor Jack Nicholson in attendance, though, which was very cool! The “Illumination” I saw a few years ago in Aspen was “Who Killed Mozart?”. The music was great of course, but the script used elements from the TV show Law & Order and turned out rather silly. I like Law & Order (and its variations) so when the show’s characteristic two-note sound byte was used, it was very funny…the first time. They used the sound clip several times and it quickly lost the novelty. The “Illumination” seemed to focus more on the kitschy gimmick of Law & Order rather than Mozart or his music.

I thought I had seen at least one other of his Illuminations at the Aspen Music Festival, but my husband informs me we were working during the concert, so we only saw portions of it. I saw part of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony performed during the “Russian David, Soviet Goliath” Illumination, but I don’t think I watched any of the scripted portion. I did see the actor Jack Nicholson in attendance, though, which was very cool!

]]> Comment on Verdi and the Mambo Kings by Janz http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/verdi-and-the-mambo-kings/#comment-60 Janz Sat, 24 May 2008 15:01:19 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-60 Cathy, thanks for your kind words! The Buffalo Chamber Players has really been a musically satisfying project for us. Since you already joined our mailing list at our site, you probably saw that we are having a concert next Wednesday. For the rest of you, you can find details about it at <a href="http://buffalochamberplayers.com" rel="nofollow">buffalochamberplayers.com</a>. We even have a blog there too! Ann, I wished they had told the musicians about the artwork in the Mary Seaton room! This is the first I hear of it. I agree with you that combining visual and performing arts can make for some powerful synergy. It's interesting, I also shared your skepticism about adding the script to the music. But as you stated, in this case it definitely worked. Just out of curiosity, which of his other "Illuminations" have you seen/heard? He seems to have a ton of them! Cathy, thanks for your kind words! The Buffalo Chamber Players has really been a musically satisfying project for us. Since you already joined our mailing list at our site, you probably saw that we are having a concert next Wednesday. For the rest of you, you can find details about it at buffalochamberplayers.com. We even have a blog there too!

Ann, I wished they had told the musicians about the artwork in the Mary Seaton room! This is the first I hear of it. I agree with you that combining visual and performing arts can make for some powerful synergy. It’s interesting, I also shared your skepticism about adding the script to the music. But as you stated, in this case it definitely worked. Just out of curiosity, which of his other “Illuminations” have you seen/heard? He seems to have a ton of them!

]]> Comment on Verdi and the Mambo Kings by Ann http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/verdi-and-the-mambo-kings/#comment-59 Ann Sat, 24 May 2008 07:25:41 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-59 As a bassist, I agree: just say no to "footballs." I attended the Sunday performance of the Requiem and it was indeed a moving experience. I must confess I was afraid that Verdi's music might be diminished by Mr. Sidlin's script (as I have witnessed in other Concert Illuminations), but it was an effective, emotive presentation. Bravo to Amy Glidden for her fortitude during her beautiful concluding solo! And thank you to the BPO for a memorable performance. Here's a question: did anyone check out the artwork in the Mary Seaton Room that was displayed during the Verdi concert, and if so, what was your reaction? I think it was a great idea to combine visual arts and music around a central theme. As a bassist, I agree: just say no to “footballs.”

I attended the Sunday performance of the Requiem and it was indeed a moving experience. I must confess I was afraid that Verdi’s music might be diminished by Mr. Sidlin’s script (as I have witnessed in other Concert Illuminations), but it was an effective, emotive presentation. Bravo to Amy Glidden for her fortitude during her beautiful concluding solo! And thank you to the BPO for a memorable performance.

Here’s a question: did anyone check out the artwork in the Mary Seaton Room that was displayed during the Verdi concert, and if so, what was your reaction? I think it was a great idea to combine visual arts and music around a central theme.

]]> Comment on Verdi and the Mambo Kings by Cathy Agnello http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/verdi-and-the-mambo-kings/#comment-58 Cathy Agnello Fri, 23 May 2008 17:04:39 +0000 http://letsgobpo.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-58 Hi, Buffalo Chamber Players, I am an alto in in the BPC and also sang with the Schola Cantorum in the Thomas Swan heyday between 1981 and 1993. I wanted to congratulate your group for forming and striving to present some lesser known musical works. I have joined your e mail list and look forward to attending some of your concerts. Even though I grew up in Rochester and was a prep student at the Eastman School of Music many years ago, I think that the Buffalo music scene rocks.. Hi, Buffalo Chamber Players, I am an alto in in the BPC and also sang with the Schola Cantorum in the Thomas Swan heyday between 1981 and 1993. I wanted to congratulate your group for forming and striving to present some lesser known musical works. I have joined your e mail list and look forward to attending some of your concerts. Even though I grew up in Rochester and was a prep student at the Eastman School of Music many years ago, I think that the Buffalo music scene rocks..

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