Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Celebrate America!

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra's summer home is a bandshell in a Simsbury meadow.  On Friday night, several thousand fortunate concertgoers ignored 97 degree heat to hear the HSO perform a variety of American works, from Copland and Ives, to Bernstein, to Rogers & Hammerstein and Sousa.  The concert ended with a rousing performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. 
OK.  Tchaikovsky isn't American and the music isn't about America.  Those are little details we prefer to overlook as the 4th of July approaches.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

What a great shot! Puts me in a 4th of July mood just looking at it! Florida Symphony also does a concert at a bandshell right on the water in Clearwater. Took the kids there many times and we always loved the 1812 Overture that preceded the fireworks.

Lois said...

Outdoor concerts are one of my favorite things to do, even in the heat!

Halcyon said...

I love outdoor concerts! I think it's great that symphonies do things like this. It makes classical music more accessible to people. :)

Bet it was lots of fun, even if Tchaikovsky isn't American. ;)

Sylvia K said...

I, too, love outdoor concerts and Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture is a favorite of mine regardless of the time of year, but perfect for July 4! This looks like a great place to enjoy the music! Hope your week is going well, Jack, have a great and very Happy 4th of July!

Sylvia

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I love outdoor concerts, and Tchaikovsky, and especially the 1812 Overture.

Your community owes a big "Thank you" to the musicians for playing in that heat. Besides the physical challenge, the string players risked their very valuable instruments by playing them in such heat.

Some symphony orchestra union contracts have permissible temperature ranges for outdoor concerts.

Cezar and Léia said...

So nice to see people happily enjoying the wonderful concert there!Your pictures are great!
Happy 4th of July!
Léia

Randy said...

Sounds like fun. This has me excited for next Wednesday. They are taking tomorrow off for the summer concerts.

Gunn said...

Wow, this looks like a very nice event!
Enjoy the summer and the music!

Birdman said...

I perfer to call it the Lone Ranger theme. hahaha

VP said...

A bit too hot maybe, but who cares with this kind of great music?

cieldequimper said...

Oh how absolutely delightful!

RedPat said...

A wonderful night anyway! We all seem to like the 1812.

EG CameraGirl said...

I do love listening to music in the great outdoors so this would be such a treat. I hope the temperatures haven't been too hot.

Funny thing about the War of 1812 - both sides seem to think they won. I guess that's one of the reasons Canada and the U.S. get along so well. :))

Dianne said...

Nothing beats Tchaikovsky's 1812 as a finale ... sounds like a wonderful concert Jack.

Lowell said...

Is Tchaikovsky related to this recent phenom, Tai chi? ;-)

That's quite a symphony you have. It must be well-supported 'cause a lot of them are having a hard time staying in business.

I would have enjoyed every minute of this concert!

Lynette said...

Another great view of the orchestra in an appropriately decorated bandshell, Jack.

About the Plymouth Superbirds in my post today and the fact that they're in the same spot, thankfully during the parade lap, those cars moved very slowly, no racing at all. Forty years ago cars just like them raced there.

Kate said...

Communities to offer these performances to the public are generous and make special events memorable.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I agree Jack, the 1812 Overture is such a rousing and dramatic ending for any occasion, and somehow nearly always mysteriously invokes fireworks!!