Indianapolis Symphony Blog

I seated myself just behind the sound console, orchestra right, floor. Hackman delivered Wyoming 307 (name from an area code) but the piano was too quiet to be heard well above the crowd noise. Short Ride in a Fast Machine brought images of Copeland and the open spaces of the wild west to mind, with the clattering of 1/4 notes on wood block and massed orchestra galloping through with myriad tempos. It's a complicated piece, that really got the attention of the audience. The sweeping strings were particularly majestic during the middle section. The Beethoven/Coldplay arrangement was very artful, blending the well known Eroica with rock drum kit, organ, piano, and vocal joining in for the 'Fix You' Coldplay portion, winding down with closing movement of Eroica. Conductor/pianist Hackman took a bit to entertain the audience with some lively banter about the history of the various selections for the evening and was well received. I'm not familiar with the Joe Black themes played next and to me, the dancers were a distraction but I'm sure that others enjoyed their interpretation. (I feared for their safety, performing on a 7' wide sliver of stage). Next up, the Infernal Dance and Closing from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite sandwiched another well-known melody, Debussy's Claire de Lune. The Debussy was delightful and I personally very much enjoyed the dramatic Firebird with all it's fortissimo playing, horn fanfare, and tympani. For years I listed to the rock band Yes using the Firebird as a show opener so am very familiar with this number and the ISO performed it to stunning effect. Great show overall, truncated a bit but for the ticket price you couldn't go wrong. I'd wished that they'd used the available lighting tools to greater effect and some of the solos seen on a projection screen were difficult to hear (bump them in the mix please Mr. sound guy). An enjoyable evening despite the very active crowd in the lobby. I think the organizers got what they wished for- to bring symphonic music to a new, younger crowd. Mission well accomplished!

Name: Michael Colter
City: Indianapolis