My evil plan to save the world,
Just you wait ’till it’s unfurled,
It’ll go down in history.
It’s prophetic,
No it’s not pathetic.
I can’t believe I made it up myself.–Five Iron Frenzy, “My Evil Plan to Save the World”
After my first year of seminary, I was disappointed that I hadn’t even begun to experience St. Louis culture, so, when I found out that the St. Louis Symphony offers a really sweet student discount on series tickets, I concocted a plan to rectify the situation. I had enjoyed the wonderful concerts of the F&M Orchestra throughout my college years, so this was my chance to move up to the big leagues, so to speak. However, I didn’t want to go alone. Where would be the adventure in that? Instead, I decided that I’d get two tickets so that I could take someone with me, perhaps even a lovely young female if I should be so lucky!
As the first concert approached, I was quite proud of myself because I had a lovely young female all lined up to go with me. However, a last minute cancelation left me humbled and dateless. For the following two concerts, I gave the extra ticket to my friend Jon. Concert number four happened to coincide with a visit from my Dad, which was a relief since it was a Valentine’s Day concert with a Valentine’s Day theme, and thus probably would have been awkward to go to with anyone other than a significant other or parent. For the final two concerts, I conceded that I don’t know a whole lot of single people (especially of the female gender), and enlisted the help of my friends Rudy and Cynthia to fix me up on a blind “date” each time.
Overall, the plan was a positive experience, and I think I’m going to buy another two series tickets for next season. I just need to figure out which series to get. Would you like to help me decide? If so, go to www.slso.org, check out the Friday A, B, & C schedules (the student discount is only good on Friday series), and post a comment here to let your voice be heard.
BTW, if you’re interested, here’s a complete list of the music I heard this season:
- Chabrier, Habanera
- Falla, Nights in the Gardens of Spain for Piano and Orchestra
- Liszt, Totentanz for Piano an Orchestra
- Sibelius, Symphony No. 2 in D Major
- Vivaldi, Concerto in C major for Two Trumpets and Strings
- Vivaldi, Concerto in E major for Violin and Strings, “Il riposo”
- Vivaldi, Laudate Pueri
- Corelli, Concerto Grosso in G minor, “Christmas Concerto”
- Vivaldi, Concerto in G major for Flute and Strings
- J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
- Ives, Three Places in New England (First Orchestral Set)
- R. Strauss, Four Last Songs
- Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major
- Wagner, Prelude and “Liebestod” from _Tristan und Isolde_
- Berlioz, “Love Scene” and “Romeo at the Capulets’ Tomb” from _Roméo et Juliette_
- Rachmaninoff, _Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini_
- Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2
- Mozart, Concerto No. 26 in D major for Piano and Orchestra, “Coronation”
- Elgar/Payne, Symphony No. 3
- Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C major
- Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, “Choral”
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I looked quickly and I think I would pick Friday B schedule. This probably reflects my taste which favors baroque primarily and classical secondarily. I’m not so much into the Romantics. Yes, Series B looks the best to me.
Friday B schedule Great!
Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice & Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Friday C schedule Sounds very inviting also!
Grieg Holberg Suite, Bruch Violin Concerto, & Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
These are very good pieces. You have a very tough decision to make Steve.
If Vivaldi were one of the options, I would choose that hands down! Good luck!
This is a difficult decision, each one includes some of my favotites. Since we need to narrow it to one, I think the “B” series has a very slight edge.