Background
This is a review of the second concert that I have attended in the U.S. I have attended several musical concerts and I have already been aware of the different styles that the bands use or may use for their performance. I have also been exposed with the types of music that could be usually associated with particular places. With that in mind, I would like to let the reader of this report know that I already had set expectations before I went to that concert.
Concert at University of South Alabama – Department of Music
The concert I attended was scheduled last Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 7:30 in the evening at one of the most relaxing places I have ever been, the Recital hall located at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. I consider as the main event that evening were Goran Marcusson and Robert Holm. They were both from other universities. Marcusson was in charge of the flue while Holm was in charge of the piano. Even though they were the main artist, there were actually more than two musical instrument players who also performed in that concert.
Concert Highlights
I would like to start by describing how the concert venue and decorations looked like. The place was large enough for the total number of people who bought the tickets. Of course, the concert I attended was just a recital show so I didn’t really expect a lot of people. The decorations were good as well. It had a mix of yellow and blue. It was striking and relaxing to the eyes as well. It blended almost perfectly with everything; from the type of music being played while the musicians were performing up to the attire that the audience members were instructed to wear.
The first one who performed was Goran Marcusson. He played his lineup solo with no one in the stage but himself. I could see that he is a well-known musician based on the behavior of the audience. He only used one musical instrument in his entire performance—the flute. After a few moments, he started playing Johan Sebastian Back’s Partita in A Minor. The music was obviously classical. The moment I heard him play the first few notes with his flute, I felt like I was in a fantasy world. Everything slowed down and I can see myself loving his music. That’s the only way how I could express my impression about his music. After his performance, the audience applauded and some even stood up for a standing ovation.
Everything was so quiet again. I am actually expecting a high level of showmanship this time because of the goodness of the last performance. He then played Cinq Incantations by the famous French Composer Andre Jolvet. That song was originally a worship song for their gods. It certainly sounded like one. At first, I thought it was a weird song with a very unusual melody. But yes, it does sound good, especially when Holm was playing it.
That goes for the first performer. He left the stage gracefully and then the performers for the intermission number began to occupy the stage. The intermission number lasted for about 15 minutes and I have to say that the show was good.
Now it’s time for the second performer, Robert Holm. Just like the first performer, he played solo but the only difference is that he used a piano. The first piece he played was the Two Sentimental Romances by the famous composer Wilhelm Stemhammar. It was so good. At that time, I realized that it was so melodramatic to listen to a classical piano piece. The precision of the notes and melodies were so soft I could almost fall asleep. The second one he performed was Tango fantasia, a work of Jacob Thune Hansen Gade which was arranged by Toke Lund Christiansen. The flow of the music was just like the first one—it was perfect. My senses were soothed and it was very relaxing to stay there at that time. After Holm’s performance, everything stood up and recognized his talent. The audience cheered and he gave a smile and a message of thanks.
Conclusion
Generally, it was a good concert. Everything was well-planned and executed. The setting and decorations used for the venue blended well with the general theme of the concert. The actual performances of the guest artists were superb. They certainly do not need to practice anymore because it looked like they have already mastered their musical skills.
