CA 1: ‘Leningrad’ performed by HGO
‘Leningrad’ is a classical concert performed by
Het Gelders Orkest. It took place in Orpheus,
Apeldoorn’s Theater, on 17 November.
I went there because I have to visit a classical
concert for CKV this year, and Orpheus made
it possible for 5 euro’s instead of 20, which is
quite an improvement. I was not so interested
in it, mainly because I don’t have much
experience with the music style.
Leningrad is a classical concert with symphonies of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. There is
no real story told. Tchaikovsky wrote the ‘Rococo Variations’ that were played and
Shostakovich wrote ‘Leningrad’. I would say there is a theme, because though the ‘Rococo
Variations’ are not about war, ‘Leningrad’, which was the biggest part of the performance, is
about war. So war is the theme here. Also, both composers have a difficult relationship with
the state.
In the Rococo Variations there were almost only strings (cello’s, violins, etc.) used, but when
‘Leningrad’ started a lot of horns, percussion and a tuba joined.
Tchaikovsky is a famous composer, mainly for his works The Nutcracker and The Swan lake.
He lived in the 19th century, in Russia, and many people in his country didn’t like him since
his music was ‘too western’. He is regarded to be influenced by Robert Schumann, though
there are many debates about who actually influenced him.
Shostakovich is also a Russian Composer, but he lived from 1906 to 1962. He had a difficult
relationship with government. He was influenced by composers like Prokofiev and
Stravinsky. His music usually is characterized by sharp contrasts.
My Opinion
Well, before I went there, I of course already had an opinion. I like a lot of different music
styles. Where most young people hate classical music before they even listened to it, I
decided to try some parts of it. I think that classical music can be fun to listen to in general, if
it is a bit exciting at least. When I watched I enjoyed the music, but up until a point. The first
hour of the performance the music had some kind of exciting part in it, with quick notes. But
after that, it became really quiet and not much happened. This made me lose my attention
and I never really was able to focus on the music again. Therefore I would say it was boring
and enjoying to me.