My idea of cultural mecca is the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. It’s has a spectacular old world lobby and is just steps away from the Art Institute and Symphony Hall. I took advantage of it’s proximity to the latter tonight and attended a performance (under Bernard Haitink) of Webern Im Sommerwind, Mahler Ruckert Lieder (with Christianne Stotijn) and Brahms Symphony Number 1. To an orchestral music lover, this is a multi-course meal at a fabulous restaurant. One comes away content  on a number of levels, marveling at the display of mastery that one has just witnessed. And, ultimately, the only thing one takes away is a memory. The Webern was the biggest surprise. A huge romantic tone poem from the master of modernist  miniatures. I will use this piece, in addition to Schoenberg’s Gurralieder and Transfigured Night as proof that one needs to have complete mastery of the current

I’m trying to reach the others, the ones who haven’t discovered their personal connection with classical (serious) music.  Is it possible that my deliberate choice of the previous words might offend some people? Hopefully,  because my point is;  how can you question whether or not a higher power exists after one has experienced Beethoven, Brahms, Bartok or Shostokovich? The purpose of music is to communicate emotion, in a non-verbal and therefore a more pure way. Mahler said one of his Ruckert Lieder should convey “the way one feels in the presence of a beloved being of whom one is completely sure without a single word needing to be spoken”.  Maybe that’s too sappy for some, but if the concept of music expressing this detailed an emotion is new to you…LISTEN UP!! You have no idea what you are missing!

Last  night was my return to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I’ve heard James Levine conduct the Met Opera Orchestra, both in opera and in concert settings and have always been impressed. This was my first opportunity to see what he has been doing in Boston. I went to college in Boston and had a subscription to the BSO. Now I wish I had saved those programs…lots of eye opening experiences (ok, ear opening) highlighted by hearing the Shostakovich 4th…unprepared!! Anyway, the Berg Violin Concerto is one of the greatest 20th century compositions and a highlight of serialism, not to mention beauty and profundity. One of my favorite pieces of music. I could go on and on, but I won’t. If you’re not familiar with this piece, listen to it about a dozen times. The other piece on the program was one of my least favorite, by one of my least favorite composers…the