aeblog

cagey

I checked out the BMOP Club Concert last night at Club Cafe in Boston. The last time I tried to go to one of these shows, I made the huge mistake of driving, and the resultant frustration of being unable to find a parking spot led to this song. Yes, I nearly rammed my car into several innocent pedestrians, and no, I never did make it to the show. Needless to say, I took the T this time, showed up tastefully early, and was markedly more relaxed.
And I was very glad to have made it. The music was great, the performers were very talented, but the most exciting part about the event was the layout, if you will, of the event itself. This was a concert of 'classical' compositions, performed by 'classical' musicians on classical instruments (and some non-instruments), but we were not at Jordan Hall stuck in an assigned concert hall seat. We were in the back room of a hip restaurant, alcohol and food was being served and we didn't need to worry about whispering or even shifting our weight for fear of disturbing the bluehair on our right.
The music formerly known as classical can, in fact, be hip and fun and exciting and even cool. It doesn't have to be serious and stuffy. And it can attract an audience younger than my deceased grandparents.
We can't let this music die. Thank you BMOP for doing an admirable job of making it more lively!

Speaking of music, what about the pieces they performed? All had redeeming characteristics and were interesting, but I liked two in particular.

John Cage - Living Room Music
Javier Alvarez - Temazcal

The John Cage piece was totally incredible. It was written for 'found objects' and included five sections (I think) of extraordinary variety and creative brilliance. In one section, the four performers used only their voices, making sounds, and speaking in rhythmic patterns, and even indulging in a bit of choreographed humor. I liked it for it's use of the voice, but it was really cool because there were traces of rap and hip-hop and it totally rocked out. And here's the kicker: He wrote it in 1940! As in 64 years ago. As in WWII time frame. As in WAY WAY WAY WAY ahead of his time. And the piece still came across as being totally innovative even today. That guy was brilliant.
The other piece, Temazcal, was written for solo maracas (yes, you read that correctly) and recorded tape. Robert Schulz, percussionist extraordinaire, played the maracas like they were a real instrument, I mean, umm, like a true virtuoso. I couldn't believe all the different sounds and rhythms that he was able to coax from two synthetic dried gourds. He was running around the room banging on tables and the floor all the while miraculously staying perfectly in sync with the unforgiving recording.
This can't be classical music, can it?! I was super impressed. I had fun. I will go again.

BMOP has two more Club Concerts this season, and I encourage you all to attend. You won't be disappointed, and at the very least, you will be supporting a worthy and necessary cause.