Der Stephaniensaal

Yesterday I had a break in my mid-afternoon teching schedule and went down to the shady school playground (this is an elementary school, remember). I planned to do a little reading, but after a while an orchestra rehearsal commenced in what is ordinarily the gymnasium of the school, a room accessible from the schoolyard. Doors and windows were open. The glorious sounds of Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" overwhelmed me; there was no way I could read with such (live!) music pouring into my ears. Entering the rehearsal space I could feel the floor vibrating -- talk about total immersion! Beethoven often sends me into a state of immediate ecstasy; his music possesses a primal power like no other; the human spirit strives for and dwells in an exalted realm in his music. I looked forward with great anticipation to tonight's program.
The first orchestra concert of the season took place downtown in the Stephaniensaal, a concert hall built on the model of the Vienna Musikvereinsaal. It's one of those lavishly ornate, beautiful old European halls. Alas, the best laid plans went awry. I left in plenty of time for the concert, planning to have a light supper downtown, but I ran into colleagues and we were delayed. They wanted to go to a restaurant and suggested a charming little Italian place (run by real Italians!) near the hall. Who can say no to the company of two lovely women and the prospect of great Italian food? Not even I. The upshot was that we arrived at the hall just as the doors were closing for the beginning of the concert, so I heard the "Egmont" through closed doors. It's a good thing I heard that rehearsal or I would have been really disappointed! The rest of the program consisted of excerpts from "Fidelio" and, after intermission, five songs of Joseph Marx and Strauss' "Don Juan". Marx is a native of this area. I know his music only slightly. The songs are written in a lush, late Romantic and quasi Impressionistic style. They are over-orchestrated but very colorful. The vocalists chosen for the evening were of varying degrees of accomplishment. The Strauss is, of course, one of the most formidable tests of orchestral playing. The AIMS ensemble rose to the occasion, playing with finesse and suppleness. It was a superlative performance. Their level of playing astonishes me. It is no wonder that some orchestra members have returned for twenty years in a row to play with this ensemble. I think I would come back here in the future just to hear them!