Today I got to see Zubin Mehta and the LA Phil perform Mahler 2!! After being unable to hear UCLA’s Philharmonic Orchestra perform it in Spring due to the CS 35L final being at the same time, I am very grateful that I did not have to wait that long to get another opportunity to listen to it live for the very first time.
I was not disappointed. The concert was fantastic and I picked up some things live that I did in recordings such as the col lengo in the first movement, the stick whacking in the third movement, and the deep bass notes in the fifth movement. I was also surprised when I saw the translations of the poem being posted on the sides and it really added a feeling of awe and profundity as non-Germanic speakers get the opportunity to follow the concepts of life, death, and resurrection being discussed chorally.
It was difficult to get a group picture because I sat so far back in the balcony and my camera sucks, but here is a picture of the bows!
And lastly, I leave the reader with a poem of my own:
Winter 2020
The quarter starts tomorrow
I want it to end
Please send us help – S.O.S.
