Linz * Notes * 
Last night Herbert Blomstedt conducted Mozart's Symphony No. 36 and Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 at San Francisco Symphony. The former sounded rather jolly, the dynamics were clear and the tempi restrained. The oboe sounded particularly good in the first and third movements. The brass was hazy in the second movement, but the following Menuetto danced and the phrasing was lovely. The strings sounded crisp throughout. The Bruckner was played with more lushness, starting off darkly but ending brightly exultant. The brass creaked slightly in the beginning Maestoso, but sounded fairly clear in the third movement. Again, the oboe was especially fine, as were the woodwinds in general.

* Tattling * 
There was a little talking but no electronic noise in the front orchestra seating. Many people rustled cellophane, perhaps from their cough drops. Applause was heard after the first movement of the Mozart.

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6 responses to “Blomstedt conducts Mozart’s Linz”

  1. CruzSF Avatar
    CruzSF

    I’ll never understand why people don’t unwrap their cough drops before the music begins and keep them in their laps on a Kleenex.

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  2. Robin Lamb Avatar
    Robin Lamb

    Hi Charlise….sigh….the AMAZINGLY LOUD sound of SF symphony-goers unwrapping their cough drops is one of the main reasons I have stopped attending on a regular basis…. it’s too much….. waaaah!
    Sounds like you has a wonderful time abroad…..
    See you in May for Opera rehearsals?
    ♥ Robin ♥

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  3. Axel Feldheim Avatar

    The audience at the Thursday matinee applauded after the 1st movement of the Mozart as well, but I thought that was just the matinee crowd getting confused. I wonder if they will applaud for the Allegro tonight as well.
    Yes, there always does seem to be someone in the row behind who takes a long time to unwrap a cough drop from a crinkly wrapper! I think that audiences are uncomfortable with silences & start coughing & clearing their throats during the breaks out of nervousness.

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar

    I think that requires too much forethought and self-awareness for certain people. It is too bad!

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  5. The Opera Tattler Avatar

    At least I was pretty much sitting by myself, it wasn’t as bad as it could be.
    Yes, see you soon!

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  6. The Opera Tattler Avatar

    How odd!
    All the crinkling is still better than beeping, I think.

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