Audrey,
I am so glad you brought up the principal flutist because I consistently listened to her playing and I thought she was also the best. Did you also listen/see the cellos? They were incredible and it was interesting to see them constantly switching playing positions. I am glad there was someone else in the audience with an acute sense of hearing.
Ryan F.

Precision, accuracy, and exquisiteness are three words that I can use to describe the UMS Choir’s performance of Brahms’s German Requiem. I was greatly engaged by the entire show, yet I was really captured by the sixth movement, Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt. The tenor’s voice was efficacious for the movement because the piece describes an apocalypse. At times, I thought I was listening to the Star Wars’ soundtrack, yet I realized Brahms had a much more powerful message: chaos occurs in society, yet there is strength to overcome the struggle. In addition, I greatly enjoyed the assortment of the choir. I was able to hear basses, altos, and sopranos intertwined throughout the choir and not centered to a specific location. Overall, UMS Choir was amazing under Jerry Blackstone’s direction and it truly captured Brahms’s messages within his requiem.
Ryan F

Alincita,

I could not agree more with you about Ariacne’s voice. Didn’t you LOVE the harmonies between her voice and the male voices? I thought they were amazing! Were you near the front of the stage? I was in the balcony and I could tell something was going on near the front, but I was unable to see. Also, check-out Rodriguez on YouTube. He has put out some incredible piano pieces that truly emphasize his outstanding piano skills. Thank you for sharing!

Ryan F

Fingers flying, body shakes, smiles. The Alfredo Rodriguez was truly a sight to see. Each member of the trio had their own distinct method of playing. The bass player and Rodriguez on piano had their own conversation. They continued to smile, laugh, and joke their way through the performance. Even the drummer was shaking his body and keeping the rhythm throughout the piece through his body’s movements. I also enjoyed how the trio incorporated recognized Latin pieces into their own interpretations. In all, the performance was spectacular! In contrast to the trio was the performance by the Pedrito Martinez group. When the Martinez group came onto stage, I did not know what to expect. As soon as they started singing, I was awestruck by their amazing harmonies and voice control. Immediately, I felt that I was in the streets of Cuba and I could have started dancing through the theater. Similarly to the Rodriguez trio, the Martinez group also danced around the stage and interacted with each other. I really enjoyed the guitarist and cow-beller (I think that’s what it was–I couldn’t see!) continued to joke with the piano player. I think artist interactions truly help with a stronger performance. Overall, both groups were amazing and I would recommend these groups to anyone!

John,

I was thinking the same thing during the performance. I kept trying to think of ways in which there specific scenes depicted problems or joys they were trying to portray. One scene I thought pertained a message was the scene with water and ponchos. I thought it was trying to show how the performers yearned for water, as well as a break. In addition, the beginning scene with the bikes could have entailed their performance would be a journey and we would follow along. I hope this leads you in some direction!

-Ryan

The Compagnie Käfig was incredible. Who knew one could dance with plastic cups in his vicinity or flip through the rows without knocking the cups over? Or who knew that the plastic cups could be twirled around in stacks, without separation. I was very impressed by the performance of Compagnie Käfig. While there were only two short acts, I still found the dancers to be very entertaining. Overall, I really enjoyed watching each dancer’s individual expression within the ensemble. In the second half, everyone came out dressed in either pants or shorts and tennis shoes or boots. Additionally, some dancers flipped and did extreme movements, while others retained their steps. It was great to see these differences because it emphasized how dance is expressed differently within each dancer’s soul. In addition to the dancer’s precise movements and actions, it was interesting to watch their expressions. For instance, the tallest dancer had a spunky and amusing method of dancing. He seemed to prance and make hilarious jesters throughout each of the performances. The hilarity of the performance was especially seen during the water and rain poncho scene. Each member of Compagnie Käfig showed their desperation for water and rest through their jokes and gestures. It was very ludicrous and I wish the performance could have last longer. When they come to Michigan again, DEFINITELY GO AND SEE THEM!

I was VERY satisfied when Kronos’s second to the last song (does anyone know the song? I believe it was a Swedish tune) did not carry an mp3 background. I did find the mp3 association to be interesting, but I much preferred the strings without background music. Overall, the mp3 absorbed the quality of the strings and took away from their magnificence. I did not want to hear voices. I wanted to hear chords! When the mp3 was removed, the intensity of the harmonious chords and blend of strings were revealed. In all, the blend provided chills. Chills! I could not believe how wonderful the instruments and provided such moving words. It was amazing to hear each of these instruments and their identifiable sound. No plucking. Straight strumming. Beautiful. I would recommend the Krono’s Quartet; however, you must be willing to be introduced to a VERY new type of orchestra music. If you are opposed to novice experiences, then I would recommend sticking with traditional orchestra music.