Kudos to the K-ster who told me about this concert. Divertimento are a string orchestra group in Tokyo composed of gays and lesbians. They have a concert every year, and I thought I'd check out a bit of live classical (only 1000 yen!) on my lazy Sunday afternoon.
I can't remember the last time I experienced live classical music in acoustically amazing surroundings. What I would like to know is, for classical music events, when are you supposed to clap? Any advice?
I had forgotten how much I enjoy live classical music, especially a string orchestra. Chills ran up my spine from the first note. We came in late, so we couldn't see the entire stage. I love watching the cello and double bass players, but my view was obscured this time.
What was great about this event, was that it felt -- for someone like me who doesn't know much about classical music and/or classical music performances -- like the perfect "intro" to classical music. There were the traditional Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi pieces played, a tenor singing some Pavarotti.. a real mix.
At one point I was so mesmerised by everything that I totally forgot where I was.
The event was in celebration of a ten year anniversary of their performances. My favourite part was when they played a classical arrangement of a popular song from each of the years 1998 to 2007. They also had a drag queen who would randomly appear during each of the songs either dressed to suit the song, or reminding the audience of an important event that happened during that year. It was effective and her timing was SPOT ON. I love laughing so hard until it hurts.
At the end of one of the pieces from 2005 the drag queen came out with a futon beater and started to beat a futon on stage. This was in memory of this case in 2005 where, in Nara, this old lady caused all sorts of horror for her neighbours when she insisted on being noisy as hell.
I was quite pleased, as most of the songs they showcased I had heard at some point -- PHEW, I'm not THAT out of touch with Japanese pop culture.
One of the funny parts was during the first piece: Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On. Suddenly, out of NO WHERE (the guy next to me jumped in his seat), part of the stage opens up and up rises the drag queen with her arms outstretched as if she were Rose on the front of the Titanic.
They also had one of the conductors dress in this outfit during the tribute to 2004's hit song, the Matsuken Samba.
Should you have taken a liking to the moves in the Matsuken Samba, here's a link to someone who explains to you how to nail those moves: How To Matsuken Samba.
A solid GOLD afternoon.
Labels: cool, Japan, Tokyo/Kanto
2 Comments:
sounds incredible! wish i coulda been there.
During classical music performances, one claps after each work. But bear in mind that a 'work' can consist of several movements (in the case of a string quartet, i.e. the musical work not the ensemble it is usually four movements). Between each movement is usually a short silent pause where clapping is not expected, unless they played something especially well or moving, i.e. you thought they played it so well it moved you clap spontaneously.
The program will help you figure out how many movements for each work of music. Sometimes they will only play one movement, usually the more well-known one, especially if it is a non-traditional concert like you attended.
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