Yesterday’s concert music
April 21, 2012
in a today’s music hall. In less than a few hours, Johann Strauss’ son Operetta “La Chauve-Souris” (The Bat or Die Fledermaus) will be presented in a totally different auditorium as it was first shown in 1874.
FRI-SON is a self-managed multicultural complex usually dedicated to all kinds of contemporary music styles. The sounds that you can hear today and maybe the artistic trends of tomorrow.
Little by little these industrial buildings were transformed into the happy looking hall that has welcomed so many musicians and groups from here and abroad.
An entrance door still closed in the afternoon. Tickets for the Strauss’ operetta were sold out for today’s performance. I got some for next week though.
A quick visit inside the concert hall: a modern equipment and old posters of previous concerts.
The empty bar that will be crowded and noisy in a few hours.
On my way back, a bus from the Czech Republic had just arrived. The members of the Philharmonic Orchester from Praha were unloading their musical instruments and getting ready for their “première” in “FRI-SON” (one of its meanings is “shiver” in French 😉 )
And now, just for a change and if you feel like it, here is the Ouverture of “The Chauve-Souris” as played by the Vienna Philharmonic, directed by H. von Karajan in 1987.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHF5LP53LZY&feature=related
Times change but music remains !
Isathreadsoflife's Blog 
This is lovely, Isa. Thank you for sharing with all of us. 🙂
That was a quick answer, dear Kathy 🙂 Thanks a lot. We were both behind the screen at different times.
How wonderful, to have such music performed in a hall devoted to the “new”. And, conversely, isn’t it wonderful that more contemporary music is being introduced to audiences in the “historic” and “traditional” venues?
Some day, when I have nothing else to think about, I may ponder my own changing taste in music. I’m not as willing these days to apologize for what I like, or to spend hours listening to what doesn’t appeal. Music should bring pleasure, not the sense of enduring something that’s “good for us”. 😉
I am so proud of myself – I’d caught the wonderful pun of Fri-Son before you explained it!
Lovely post – and I’m so glad you’ll be attending the concert, too.
You are so right Linda, why should we apologize for the style of music we like ? Listening to music should be a most pleasurable moment although I am curious and like discovering new sounds and composers. Lately it has been Middle-Eastern music and songs. Rich and so diversified, have you ever listened to this musical instrument called “oud” ? It is a kind of lute. Here you can hear some 🙂
Have a very pleasant week, Linda and thanks for your visit.
I just finished reading this interview with composer John Metcalf. I think you’d enjoy it very much.
And the oud is marvelous – it’s new to me. Thanks for the introduction!
More thanks for your reply, Linda. John Metcalf’s interview is very interesting indeed. “To follow your nose” as he says and to respect one’s own creativity so as to respect others’ is something one should remember. I had heard of J. Metcalf but never knew much of his personality. I am grateful to you for sharing this link.
Taking photos, being in nature, travelling, reading books, listening to many kinds of music…. It seems like we share the same interests!
Not long ago I attended a concert in the new concert hall in Copenhagen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koncerthuset
Both the guided tour during the day and concert in the evening was a great experience. The acoustics and the design of the hall itself is unique.
I like the oud piece – and I often find nice “world music” on YouTube… – How do you like this?:
(and do know the fantastic film it is known from!?)
– or one of my favorite classical pieces from Johann Pachelbel: Canon – in two VERY different versions!:
What a lovely and interesting answer, truels ! Thank you so much for both musical links. Isn’t the Jean Nouvel’s concert hall in Copenhague absolutely fantastic ? I can well imagine the great experience it was to listen to a concert in such a decor.
As for the two videos you shared… The first one reminds me of a film or documentary about the Goby desert or the Silk Road through Central Asia. Unique images, voices and sounds that blend in so well with the bare and yet colourful landscape. I do not know the film you mention 😦 The Canon of Pachelbel is also a favourite of mine.
Listening to music, all sorts of musics, is an endless pleasure. Some I like more than others but all have something to express that one may not grasp immediately.
Thank you truels.
Music is the language of love!
Yes, Tammy, yes, I so agree with you 🙂 thank you for your words.
There is a special atmosphere of excitement before such a big concert, as the one you are going to hear, – everyone are preparing for the moment when each little soul and mind turns into one great masse of harmony. I love both of your showed videos, Strauss is such a happy maker, life seems simple and easy when he “plays”, while the the Arabic oud, call out the deeper thoughts and reflections. Thank you for a little music while reading your post.
I loved your words, Birgitte “Each little soul and mind turns into one great masse of harmony”. So true. I thought about it last night as I sat in FRI-SON and listened to the young Czech musicians and the singers of the Strauss’ operetta. Each of them played and sang with their heart. It was a success, the public enjoyed so much what they shared fully with us: their talent and love of music.
The oud is a music for the soul indeed, a soft insistent chant that touches you deeply. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you.
it is good to see such a reclaimation project work so well. I feel we are too quick to build something new when there is something old which could be used with a little foresight and vision.
And speaking of vision, the last photo of the bus is very cool.
Hello Scott and thank you for your visit. I liked to play with the new tools of Picasa on my pictures. I also thought the last one was cool, as if the bus had just arrived in a rush. My favorite one is the b/w entrance door, “holga” I think.