Hanover Stuff

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!

The Dartmouth article