KillingClassicalMusic

This past Sunday, the Los Angeles Philharmonic presented its second LA Phil LIVE broadcast into movie theaters across the United States and Canada.  Things were generally better this time around: Attendance seems to have been up; there was added intrigued brought to the screen by actors; the host was much better; the videography was more pelasing; and the technical were fewer than before.

Several people have shared their thoughts on the performance, and the consensus seems to be that the LA Phil is accomplishing its goals.  Despite the various issues and/or drawbacks of these cinecasts, audiences really seem to enjoy them.  Let’s face it: They’re fun.

One commenter, Danielle, summed up her impression of the event thus: “What an amazing experience!”  That is in line with my previous impressions of LA Phil LIVE.  Regardless of how the movie theater experience compares with the concert hall, these cinecasts are an experience unto themselves, and one worth trying.

@NatalieLin was impressed:

A thrilling performance! The LA Phil is a technically superior orchestra, with a dynamic Millennial maestro at the helm. The concert, which married music, performance, and technology (in addition to leveraging the strength of local industry for distribution to theaters across North America) was impressively innovative and reflected the best of leadership from the new generation. I valued the rare opportunity to catch an up-close glimpse of the members of the orchestra, who embody the rich and unique diversity of the city of Los Angeles. Last, but perhaps not least, I was pleased to find that LED lights are used on LA Phil music stands - how wonderful to gain access to a viewing format that enabled us to distinguish such a level of detail!

The venue was highly photogenic with its beautiful, sculptural curves; however, its famous acoustic quality did not entirely transmit over satellite (at least, not to the Zeigfeld Theater). The full depth and fine texture of live LA Phil performances was almost - but not fully! - present outside of the the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Also, I missed the exhilaration of being part of the live audience. There is little precedent for viewing a classical concert in a movie theatre, and in general I think that’s a good thing (after all, why erect barriers to music?). On the other hand, the crunching of popcorn was not a welcome addition to the experience and I think the audience was confused as to how to conduct itself. Finally, I would love to see a more aggressive marketing campaign to drive awareness and word of mouth for future LA Phil Live performances - although the event seemed well attended in NYC, the theatre was not packed (as it should have been for a performance of this calibre).

@musicapologist beemed:

If I could have scripted a live concert experience from beginning to end for someone who had never been to a classical music concert before, that concert would have looked very similar to yesterday’s “LAPhil Live” performance by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, broadcast live from Disney Concert Hall and beamed into movie theaters all over the U.S. and Canada (via Fathom Events). It had everything. I’ve been to relatively few orchestra concerts in my life compared to most of the people that probably went to see this, but for me, that was probably the most spectacular classical music concert I’ve ever seen.

And, getting personal, he demonstrates the power of live performance.  It inspired him to dive deeper into an art form he might have otherwise avoided:

The Shakespeare actors and actress were, I thought, superb. Like most people, my first introduction to Shakespeare was in high school, and even though I had a teacher that I loved, I hated Shakespeare and did my best to avoid him ever since. I’m not really a good reader anyway, so reading Shakespeare was almost as hard as reading equations in Algebra 2, and made about as much sense (now I’m really showing my sheer lack of brain power, but hey. This is an Authentic cadence. Judge me if you like.). But when those actors acted out those scenes, I got it. Probably for the first time. They made me want to go put a bunch of Shakespeare DVDs on my Netflix in an effort to better appreciate what I’ve been ignoring for so long. And the way it segued perfectly into the music might have been my favorite part of the concert, which segues perfectly into my final point.

Still though, his “bottom line” reminds us of what is likely a concern for many theaters carrying LA Phil LIVE:

…it was an awesome concert and a great experience. I’ll definitely be checking out more of these next year when my schedule permits. I just hope the ten other people in the theater with my wife and I enjoyed it as much as we did.

Please read @musicapologist’s full thoughts on the show here.

Finally, there was also much more action on Twitter for this performance than there was in January.  Tweeting with the hashtag #LAPhilLIVE, several people shared their experience with the world as the event unfolded on the screen in front of them.  The highlights of the live tweeting are below.

ChrisLaSalle: @GustavoDudamel @LAPhil . We’ve been RAVING about it. Brilliant! Ingenious! Thank you.#laphillive

daniellelovellw  @LAPhil great performance today! #laphillive

daniellelovellw @GustavoDudamel wonderful concert again today! #laphillive

musicapologist  #Ladies Had you gone to #LAPhilLive today, you would have seen Orlando Bloom act out a scene as Romeo from Romeo and Juliet. Just sayin’.

alexdesoto @LAPhil Today’s #LAPhilLIVE concert was terrific! Innovative programming for sure. A DVD of all 3 concerts would be great.

savestheclash  @Gilbanzo that clarinet sounded fantastic, the actors were amazing also #laphillive

LaceyH  You have been to #LAphilLIVE- what are you going to do now?? Me: I’m going to Disneyland!

artisticme  That. Was. Fantastic. #LAPhilLIVE #GustavoDudamelRocks

danluz Agree RT @MissMusicNerd: RT @LaceyH: Best part: Orlando Bloom jumping on walls in WDCH #LAphilLIVE

NatalieLin    Inspired performance of #LAPhilLive, Dudamel Conducts Tchaikovsky, at NYC Zeugfield Theatre! Can’t wait for Brahms in June!

GCComposer  @LaceyH not silent here. Ambient noise from the hall. Def. awkward. #LAPhilLIVE

LaceyH Weird that there is no music for the credits… Awkward silence #LAphilLIVE

LaceyH  Am feeling underwhelmed with #LAphilLIVE sound was just not loud enough here. Visuals were cool. Just not the same energy…

rebcamuse  wishes she had been at #LAPhilLIVE

ryarnold  In-theater clapping here too! #LAPhilLIVE

GCComposer People still clapping in the theater! #LAPhilLIVE

musicapologist WOAH. That. Was. Awesome. #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Bravi! #LAPhilLIVE

LaceyH Best part: Orlando Bloom jumping on walls in WDCH #LAphilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Love, love, love how Tchaik ends on just tonic note! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd  Impressed w/timpanist’s one-handed triplets! #LAPhilLIVE

GCComposer Ack! Wonder whete else that happened. RT @MissMusicNerd: Oh, no, we lost video! Audio OK, tho! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Yes, I thought so, too! @GCComposer: Excellent transition between the end of the acting & the beginning of the music. #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Ah, nice blur-out & cross-fade! From R&J to Dudamel! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Smile, audience members, you’re on camera! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Orlando Bloom almost crowd-surfed! :D #LAPhilLIVE

jessicaflores #LAPhilLIVE yay Orlando Bloom!

artsoz RT @missmusicnerd: love to see close-ups of different parts of the orchestra. Sound is the focus, but visuals are exciting, too! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Actually, all the brass will need to ice their lips after this gig! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Horns playing bells up! Rock and Roll!!! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd MMN would really like to try out that organ behind Malcolm! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd  I love being able to see close-ups of different parts of the orchestra. Sound is the focus, but the visuals are exciting, too! #LAPhilLIVE

Gilbanzo I think the violin is my favorite instrument to watch. #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Malcom MacDowell, as the ghost of Hamlet’s father, standing in front of Disney Hall’s organ console - nice touch! #LAPhilLIVE

MissMusicNerd Thanks to Kate Jordan for encouraging viewers to check out live symphonic music in their own communities! #LAPhilLIVE

GCComposer The audience chuckled at the dude’s behavior in front of the orchestra. :-) #LAPhilLIVE

GCComposer Interview w/ the timpanist? Nice. #percussionlove #LAPhilLIVE

LaceyH Wow. An overwhelming 16 people in my movie theatre. #LAphilLIVE how is the attendance everywhere else?

LaceyH Is there student rush? #LAphilLIVE

LaceyH If I get to the theatre late, do I have to wait for applause to enter? #LAphilLIVE

kickassical Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re doing this. Think it would be more successful if they played the hits. #LAPhilLIVE

So, what do you think?  Will you be checking out one of these performances the next time around?