Get out and listen!


Yesterday my wife and I went to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall. It had been far too long that I'd heard live instruments that weren't rock or country, thus greatly amplified. There's something very different about the symphony or chamber or classical music in general when it's live than the aforementioned genres.

We were in row L, just off center and had a great place to enjoy the performance. Not too close and yet close enough to hear nuances. Of course the second thing I did right after letting myself be immersed was to consider the contrast between my system and a live performance. I'm not going to say that my system rivals a live performance! I am going to say that within the limitations that we all deal with (space, budget, esthetics) that it acquits itself acceptably. If anything, it might be a bit heavy on the bottom end. I need to dial back my sub a bit.

Anyway, the reason for my post is simply to encourage audiophile to get out and listen to the real thing. There is a movement in Handel's Water Music that begins with a pair of french horns that literally brought tears to my eyes. Despite all the time, effort and money we spend on our rigs, there is simply nothing that compares to the real thing. Nothing... Happy Listening.

https://seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2022-2023/22bar1

 

128x128musicfan2349

One cold night in December many years ago I was at the Metropolitan Opera for Daniel Barenboim conducting Tristan and Isolde. I was in the first (lowest) balcony, 2nd row, about in the center. The most expensive seats, and I now see why.  The best acoustics in the house.  The voices of course were glorious, but what I couldn't believe was the timbre of the instruments.  The sound was "other worldly" pure.  I really was thinking for a bit, does this orchestra use different quality instruments or something?  I really got what acoustics mean in a concert hall more than I ever have.  I've sat in many seats at the Met and this was different.   Barenboim was a master for this opera, and the balance between the orchestra and the vocalists was like a perfect, graceful dance. If you had Jeff Bezos' or Elon Musk's money I seriously doubt that you could put together a system that would recreate that experience.  But my "audiophile training" and listening I'm sure played a large part in me being able to have this sort of appreciation. 

             

 

@mdishler 

If you had Jeff Bezos' or Elon Musk's money I seriously doubt that you could put together a system that would recreate that experience.

 

Apparently Musk has a different set of goals.

Pity.

Its even more of a pity that he didn't find a better dealer than the one he did.

 

Love Benaroya Hall. We are in Vancouver, BC and love visiting Seattle for the music.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley is a great venue and one of the best concerts I have seen was Eddie Veder's 2011 solo show at Benaroya. Final show of the tour in his "home town".

Magical and full of love.

 

excellent discussion ;-) get out but also get in…..quite nothing like a small chamber outfit or piano in your listening room….

Benaroya is excellent but do also try the recital hall.

Best to all.

Just South of Seattle part of the year - always welcome open eared visitors….

Jim