From Creagerstown to the Concertgebouw

A dream come true

I had only one real MUST do item on my list during my Amsterdam visit---and that was to hear a concert at the Concertgebouw.  All my lifer I have listened to recordings made by the world class  resident orchestra in this world-class concert hall.  I never really imagined I would be able one day to be there, in that splendid acoustical space and hear beautiful music.  But the opportunity did present itself and we obtained tickets to hear the Faure Requiem.  I had to be there.

Gamely, the Collins clan joined in--even though the program was not particularly to  their taste.  Andrew kept referring to it as "the show."  And I laughed every time.  

Andrew and his mom in front of the hall

The concert hall is a bit far to walk from where we stayed, so we took a cab.  The driver repeatedly pointed out to us the recklessness of the other drivers and bike riders and taught us the Dutch word for "Crazy."  We arrived at the hall too early for the concert and too late to get a real supper....so we went around the corner to a local brasserie for bar food and wine.  I had the Dutch specialty "bitterballen."  They are supposed to be finely ground beef, but mine tasted vegetarian.  They weren't bad, and the spicy mustard dipping sauce certainly cleared my sinuses.

Some seats are on stage behind the singers/instrumentalists

On to the concert---the hall is lovely, but I have been in more beautiful ones--more ornately decorated, more comfortable seats.  But once the concert started, none of that mattered.  I have been in a lot of concert halls, but I have never heard acoustics this perfect.  The first piece nearly stopped my heart--a piece by Knut Nystedt...a capella and done simultaneously from the stage and the two sets of doorways on both sides of the hall.  It was perfect...and that kind of distance is hard to program for and even harder to make work in performance.  It was an homage to Bach--Immortal Bach.  I could have departed the hall when it finished, completely satisfied.  It was that well done.

From out seats--the organ is played in the Faure

I didn't really care for the Shostakovihtch, and unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I developed one of those awful coughing spells that forced me to leave the auditorium.  I only hope the sound of my hacking didn't carry back into the hall, even through closed doors. The staff was kind and gave me a seat and a glass of water until I recovered.  I could still hear the performance, but they couldn't hear me, thank goodness.

Andrew and Lauren after "the show"

There was an intermission--drinks for everyone and Andrew had booked a table with sweets and wine awaiting him.  The restrooms were not particularly crowded, and were immaculate.  There were bars set up all around the perimeter of the hall and people were visiting and enjoying a glass of bubbly.  So civilized.

Chandelier in the hall

After the intermission, we heard a lovely Faure Requiem---for me it's the gentlest of the Requiems and the most hopeful.  The soloists were superb, and the chorus excelled.  There were only about 22 singers on stage, which goes to my point--choral singers don't have to sing loudly--they have to sing together\.  The final In Paradisum made me believe again in angels.

Chandelier in the entrance

I found myself thinking about the last time I heard that piece live---in Brookings, Oregon, done by the ORCA Singers.  I was too wrapped up in the mechanics of it at the time--trying to get everything perfect--to realize just what a good job that choir actually did with the piece.  It was one of the highlights of the time we were together.  And having heard it orchestrated as it was supposed to be, I am even more  in awe of Jerry Moffit's skill and determination and  his mastery of the piano reduction.  For my money, he is the best musician in Brookings, and one of the best I have ever had to great good fortune to work with anywhere.

Ceiling lighting

After the performance, were able to walk down to the stage, center aisle and take photos.  I am not one for being photographed, but for this venue, I would make an exception.  I am from Creagerstown, Maryland, and grew up in a house with no indoor plumbing.  I never expected--ever-- in my life to be here, and believe me, I take none of this for granted.....going off to Amsterdam to the Concertgebouw is the equivalent of jumping to the moon.  I needed proof--mostly for myself---that I was truly there.

We got ourselves a ride home--it was a fitting end to a long day.  Fortunately, we had no early morning appointments for the next day, so we could enjoy a slower-paced morning.  Good-night all--for it indeed was a good night,  and I was up the ladder to my Dutch nest. 

Pinch this girl from Creagerstown