An evening with Bach, Shostakovich, Rimsky-Korsakov, and tacos

Two concerts, continued.

So, after saying good-by to our Perch Pub companions, we walked over to the Kimmel Center. We had purchased tickets in the conductor's circle, above and behind the orchestra. We've never heard a concert from that spot before, and wondered what it would be like. The tickets are a little cheaper than in most other spots, so we thought perhaps the seats might not be so good.

It was spectacular.

Well, Verizon Hall itself is so spectacular. But what a view from behind the orchestra! The hall is designed to make you feel as though you are inside a cello.

When I got back home I used the zoom feature of the camera to get a better look at the score.

The first piece was Bach's Chaconne. It was so much fun to see the conductor, Nicola Luisotti, up close. This was his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is music director of the San Francisco Opera and principal guest conductor at the Tokyo Symphony. He is amazingly expressive and emotional while conducting. And - don't take this the wrong way -- I couldn't help but think of Bugs Bunny emoting while conducting.

Maestro Luisotti was so energetic he did almost levitate, like Bugs.

Then came the big event of the evening, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. She grew up not far from Philadelphia, in Cherry Hill, and is a hometown talent, since she attended the Curtis Institute.

And in spite of being a world-famous musician, she is very down to earth. But not when she is playing. Then she soars, and she soared at the Kimmel Center, playing Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, her signature piece.

The audience was very, very appreciative. There was an intermission, and then Rimsky-Korsakov's Sheherazade, one of the most enjoyable pieces in the repertoire.

Again, the audience was extremely appreciative. I think this was both because the performance was wonderful and because the Philadelphia Orchestra has been having a very publicly bad year, with recent talk of bankruptcy and losing pension funds, etc.

The naked women in the lobby do not seem to be concerned - perhaps a bit bemused.

And then out on the street and back to Perch Pub for the second time that night, this time for dinner.

I had the pork tacos.

The couple sitting to my left had just returned from the evening performance of Rain, and we chatted with them about the Beatles, shows we had seen, Philadelphia, and the economy.

Back on the street at midnight, walking to the hotel. The streets were comfortably crowded at that hour - not so crowded that it was difficult to walk, but not so deserted that it seemed scary.

Also, the bus stops on Chestnut, which look pretty good during the day, look even better illuminated by night time street lights.

Our plan was to get up in the morning and go to the Museum of Art to see the Van Gogh exhibit, but other events intervened.

To be continued.