People Are Talking: UMS presents Ryoji Ikeda’s...
Posted: 10/31/14
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PERFORMANCES & EVENTS
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All comments by Matthew Dempsey
People Are Talking: UMS presents Brahms’s German Requiem at Hill Auditorium:
The text this work is set to is so beautiful and important to what the music is saying. I could not agree with you more. What did you think of the performance? Have you heard this work before?
As in life, context in music is everything. That is why I find poetry set to music so enthralling. The melisma over “abgefallen” (from: The grass withereth, and the flower thereof ‘falleth away’) is one of my favorite examples. Brahms’ word painting allows an intimate connection to both the verse, and his intention. Though he did pick all of the words, his melodies are what give them life.
"by Mark Dulchavsky
People Are Talking: UMS presents Brahms’s German Requiem at Hill Auditorium:
One of the best performances I have seen in the past year or two! Blackstone brought beautiful musicianship and artistry out each and every performer on stage, creating a magnificent ensemble. The balance was perfect, the choir’s diction was clear, and everyone did it well together. A great production, too bad it was only one performance.
People Are Talking: UMS presents Alfredo Rodríguez Trio and Pedrito Martinez Group at Michigan Theater:
I too felt disconnected from the performance. How do you think this compares to other performances you have seen this year, as far as being engaging?
This performance was unlike anything I had attended before. I appreciate the talent of the musicians; however, I felt very disconnected from the performance. Maybe if I had been sitting on the main floor I would have felt more engaged with the performance. I did like how the musicians used their instruments (such as the double bass and piano) percussively. I liked the different sounds that came from the piano when Rodriguez held his hand over the strings as he played the keys. It reminded me a little bit of the concept of the prepared piano, a piano thats sound is altered by placing various objects on or between the strings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myXAUEuECqQ Overall, it was a neat performance to attend! I’d be interested in attending other jazz performances like this in the future.
"by Mary Zelinski
People Are Talking: UMS presents Alfredo Rodríguez Trio and Pedrito Martinez Group at Michigan Theater:
I thought the first half of the performance, the trio, was technically great. I like jazz and can be found listening to it often. One thing that upset me was the balance(or lack there of) between the trio members. The percussion should not have been amplified, and the bass player’s mic should have been turned up. The percussion drowned out the other two. The second half of the performance was just not for me. It was loud and I couldn’t understand what they were sining. Not a performance I would go out of my way to see again, not bad but not great.
People Are Talking: UMS presents Compagnie Käfig at Power Center:
Phyll, I too thought the performance was amazing. I wanted to go back again for the second night but was unable to. Did you make it back for the second night? I’m curious, what do you mean by “life-affirming”?
FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE! ! ! Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. So engaging, creative, innovative, life-affirming and much more. Think I’ll go back, again, tomorrow night for an encore. Amazing! Stupendous. Thank you, everyone!
"by Phyll
People Are Talking: UMS presents Compagnie Käfig at Power Center:
Compagnie Kafig was amazing! It combined athleticism and artistry into one seamless and entertaining performance. I felt that the overall content and length of the performance was easily palatable and did not allow for any disconnect with the audience to occur. It was engaging and did not have any static moments where I was hoping for it to end. Instead I wanted more! I wish there was a third “act”(for lack of a better word), however, I can imagine that the performers were quite exhausted after two physically taxing numbers. The music was great, as was the lighting/ effects with props. I would definitely see Compagnie Kafig again if(when) UMS has them back!