Today I took the orchestra girls to see the Basel Chamber Orchestra. It was fun for them to see a live performance. Throughout the semester, we had discussed orchestra instruments, tuning procedures, the role of the concertmaster and section leaders, and different ways of setting up the stage. This gave them an opportunity to see professionals in action, instead of just seeing little YouTube videos of orchestras.
The Musiksaal in Basel - waiting for the concert to start
The program:
Hofmann Cello Concerto (played by Sol Gabetta)
Haydn Cello Concerto (played by Sol Gabetta)
Bartok Divertimento for String Orchestra (written in 1939 for Paul Sacher and the Basel Chamber Orchestra)
Sol Gabetta prepares to play
The performance was a matinee family concert. After the first piece, the cello soloist announced that the children could go to another room where they would learn about the orchestra. The concertmistress played a cheerful little tune while walking around the room, collecting children as she went.
After the kids were gone, the concertmistress came back and they performed the second piece. The cello soloist played an encore piece, then left to talk with the children in the other room.
Sol Gabetta played beautifully! She played with lots of passion and excitement. The clarity of every note was astounding. I’m sure she was an inspiration to my cellist in orchestra!
After the concert, we stopped at McDonald’s and Starbucks for lunch and coffee. That was a special treat since we don’t have either in Kandern!
All in all, it was a fun day and a worthwhile trip.
Your orchestra must LOVE you!!!