A Saturday Symphony
When deciding what do to on a Saturday night, there are endless options in San Francisco. You can hit up a new restaurant and sit for hours through all the courses, check out the bars for the perpetual draw of ‘the scene’, or go see a show in one of the many musical venues the City offers. Deciding that the latter was something I don’t usually do, we decided to go old school and visit the San Francisco Symphony. What a rare treat that’s so close yet feels so far away. The Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall is a nod to modern art as it’s exquisitely lit exterior draws crowds into its simple, yet effective interior. You look around as the music is playing, and you begin to appreciate the true architectural genius of the space in regards to acoustics, as well. There are movable convex
acrylic reflecting panels that can change position with each performance to optimize sound. Brilliant! I love orchestral experiences like this, as I feel it’s not only something that I remember from being involved in music when I was young, but also it’s a way to understand and keep in mind our musical roots in today’s ever changing musical environment. Last night was a part of the Symphony’s Mahler09Festival, where they paid homage to a true orchestral genius, Gustav Mahler. The effervescent music ebbed and flowed perfectly, and was only broken up by brief explanations of the music by the conductor. What a great idea, as it really helps you understand what you are listening for. Very accessible to those of us who love music, but don’t necessarily go to the symphony all the time. This is one of the best parts of events like this in San Francisco; the easy and relaxed feel of the people involved. It’s such a plus, as the events are truly accessible for the every day person. Yes, the people you see at intermission are dressed nicely and are probably a board member of some sort of artistic endeavor, but you wouldn’t know it. Everyone is there for the music alone.
While an older crowd for the most part which can be a turn off, I believe it’s important to support artistic treasures that are truly San Francisco. Don’t let it deter you, as the music is definitely worth it. If you feel a little too chi-chi afterwards, you can always do what we did and hit up a divey (but delicious!) taqueria for a late night dinner. Nothing better than mixing up your nightly experiences, which thank God for us, is so easy in our illustrious city.
Peace and love Xo
