Events around and about Dartmouth College and Hanover, New Hampshire
From the program I expected some classic jazz songs with a trio. I was quite disappointed from the outset with the Betty Carter “Do Something” song. Jazzmeia song with some wild and wide-ranging scat vocals. The musicians were great, with some nice piano and bass solos. Jazzmeia had some audience participation, but stage patter is not her forté.
A rousing drum session rumbled through Spaulding this evening. This was a group of young people from Sado Island in Japan. They live and train communally, and some are selected to go on tour.
This was a well choreographed show, with a good mix of rhythm, dance, and music.
They were handing out earplugs in the lobby before the show. The loudest part was in the first half when they had seven drummers on small drums about the size of snare drums. Small but loud! For the finale, they had three big 4′ drums going, which wasn’t as loud. But you could feel them rumble through your body and the floor.
Spaulding was sold out for this all-Beethoven program by the Dartmouth Symphony. Three great pieces, including my favorite piano concerto.
The program opened with the famous Coriolan Overture, short and stirring. I couldn’t help but think back to Robert Lepage’s Coriolanus last fall.
This was followed by the Emperor Concerto, with Sally Pinkas on piano. I was told that this was her first performance with the Dartmouth Symphony in 34 years. It seemed like she knew this piece really well, and enjoyed playing it. A well-deserved ovation followed this first part.
After intermission, it was time for Beethoven’s Fifth. Iconic, but the truth is that I hadn’t actually listened to it in a while, as I mostly listen to the 6th, 7th and 9th. So it was a real treat to hear it live, and appreciate what a great symphony it still is.
This was a truly enjoyable concert.
There was a prominent article about this upcoming concert in the Valley News, and it reminded me of how much I had enjoyed hearing the bassist play with the Barbary Coast.
The venue was a bit unusual – at the Congregational Church on the Lebanon Green, but I found out this is part of the Lebanon Opera House “outreach” program. Better to have a full house here, than a lot of empty seats in the main concert hall. But I don’t doubt that this group will be back someday soon to fill the Opera House.
The concert was a lot of fun, with a mix of different styles. All three members sing well, and play a variety of instruments. They also had a drummer who did chime in from time to time.
After this concert, their website shows a tour going through obscure towns in Western Canada like Hnausa. Mali’s mother explained to me that this is actually part of an established house concert network, and that it can be quite lucrative. I wish them well on their tour!
I caught the last half of this show at the Top of the Hop on a Thursday night. There were seats for maybe 50 or so, a small bar, a pianist, and singers near the fireplace. How nice to enjoy some prosecco while listening to some arias.
There seemed to be some kind of love story that I didn’t follow, but I did enjoy the singing, up close and personal. The performers did a great job. It is a treat to have these kinds of events available to us!