My NROL Experience

[Willie]

Originally Posted by Karen411

I don't want to find myself taking a sliding trip to the bottom and crashing through the wall, especially if I was headed down face first. Yes, I am just uncoordinated enough that something like that could happen .

I managed to break my tailbone a few years ago doing this. Oops.

[stingo]

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin

Verizon Hall

Bernstein Festival: Bernstein, Barber and Bell
BERNSTEIN Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
BARBER Violin Concerto
BERNSTEIN/arr. Brohn Suite from West Side Story, for violin and orchestra
STRAVINSKY Petrushka
STRAVINSKY Scherzo à la russe

Just about returned home from the above concert, and what a concert it was. It was the last night of the orchestra's Bernstein festival which has been going on since mid January. The first piece, the dance episodes were great - snappy, with just enough swagger to pull them off well. Very committed playing from the orchestra too. Some members of the audience enjoyed the first dance so much they applauded just as the orchestra finished it. (Good, bad or indifferent, current concert etiquette favors applauding only at the end of the whole piece.)

Now that the orchestra had shown off a bit, it was time to bring in the soloist, Joshua Bell. I'd only heard of him by reputation, never having heard him play before, but he sure can fiddle. His playing was exquisite - endless layers of nuances and dynamics, from ethereal quiet to an all out triple forte. Backed by such a well trained/prepared orchestra, it was a meeting of equals to be sure. I've attended concerts, a particular one of Dvorak's Cello Concerto comes to mind, where the soloist was totally outshined by the orchestra - not the soloist's fault certainly, just a case of the lion eating the tamer. It's also saying a lot too because Barber's Violin Concerto is a piece particularly suited to the Philly band - big lush romantic strings is definitely one of their strengths. As for the concerto itself, it's a favorite of mine - anyone who thinks that the Adagio for Strings (which was actually the middle movement in a string quartet) is the only thing Barber wrote should really check this one out.

Next up, an arrangement for violin and orchestra of excerpts of West Side Story suite - of course they chose Maria and Tonight. This was very enjoyable, if not as profound as the Barber work that preceded it. I should mention there was a pre concert conversation where the speaker (himself a guitarist/composer) talked about how Bernstein followed classical rigor when writing the music for West Side Story, and how the songs correspond to Spanish/Latin dances.

Post intermission, the orchestra was once again the star, playing Stravinsky's score to Petrushka. Having seen his Firebird as performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet a couple of years ago, I'd be very interested to see the dancing that accompanies the music. I kind of lost the story mid way through, but that's ok - it was well worth the hearing for all of its 35 minutes.

Lastly, they played the short (5 minute) Scherzo a la russe - it is of similar make to Petrushka's dance in the ballet and was a good way to close the show.

Milanov held everything together quite well - the orchestra sounded committed, tight and together. I'd not mind seeing him conduct again.

As a side note, I had lunch at the Indian restaurant near the hall - the buffet was good - had chicken vindaloo, naan and a few other dishes that were very tasty indeed. All in all a great day.

[DanceDiva]

Originally Posted by stingo

Some members of the audience enjoyed the first dance so much they applauded just as the orchestra finished it. (Good, bad or indifferent, current concert etiquette favors applauding only at the end of the whole piece.)

Oh well, I'd have been right along with them (if I found it good). But then I've never been to see an orchestra.

Originally Posted by stingo

Next up, an arrangement for violin and orchestra of excerpts of West Side Story suite - of course they chose Maria and Tonight. This was very enjoyable, if not as profound as the Barber work that preceded it. I should mention there was a pre concert conversation where the speaker (himself a guitarist/composer) talked about how Bernstein followed classical rigor when writing the music for West Side Story, and how the songs correspond to Spanish/Latin dances.

I only saw West Side Story about 4 years ago. But I was surprised that I knew several of the songs. I know I would have loved this. So now I'm jealous.

[fengshway]

willie, I loved Middlesex. fascinating read.

[stingo]

Originally Posted by DanceDiva

But then I've never been to see an orchestra.

Then find a local concert and go - if for no other reason to have tried it.

[stingo]

Originally Posted by fengshway

willie, I loved Middlesex. fascinating read.

It finally dawned on me that the book I was thinking of (and have actually read) was Middlemarch.

[DanceDiva]

Originally Posted by stingo

Then find a local concert and go - if for no other reason to have tried it.

Reason for going would have to be better than that. Dressing up is work.

[stingo]

Originally Posted by DanceDiva

Reason for going would have to be better than that. Dressing up is work.

Depends on how elaborate you're going to be. You don't need to dress to the nines to go... and maybe a better reason is you might enjoy the music, and what's more enjoy hearing it live.

[stingo]

All weights are per hand unless otherwise noted. 30 sec rest between exercises, except the complex.

A: Dumbbell Complex 2x8@30

1. Power Clean, Squat and Press
2. Pushup
3. Row

B: Stairs 3 flights x 4

C: Plank 30 sec, 45 sec, 2 minutes (1:15, 45)

D: Renegade Rows 2x6@15 (each side)

F: Lat Pulldown/Shoulder Press 2x12@80/30 (+form)

G: Saxon Side Bend 2x8@15 (+weight)

H: Medicine Ball Lift 2x12@12

I: Pullups 2x10@-235 (+ 2 reps each set)

Notes:

A: Dumbbell Complex - did the 2x8 the first set of which Pam (the woman who runs the corporate gym) watched and gave me some tips on form. A definite progression here since when I started this, I did 2x8 of the clean, squat and press only.

B: Stairs - Didn't know if I was going to make it to the top on the 4th set, but I managed it. Still have to let go of the rails more as they're more of a psychological crutch.

C: Plank - Took the regulated rest between sets, except that I took a 10-15 sec rest between the 1:15 and 45 sec plank at the end. This is more of a psychological barrier too - one I hope to break through soon.

D: Renegade Rows - Said it before, and I'll say it again - 6 per side was all that was happening - I really need to concentrate on form for this one so will be mindful of that next time.

E: Lat Pulldown/Shoulder Press - Yay for non-cheating reps. This was a lot harder, but much more honest. Go me.

F: Saxon Side Bend - My left shoulder seemed better with this today, even with the higher weight. I'm optimistic...

G: Medicine Ball Lift - Same thing - more of a circle when bringing the ball up, otherwise this exercise is good.

H: Pullups - Kicked it with a 2x10 today, which even surprised me. Hoping to do as well or 2x12 on Wednesday.

Overall - An excellent workout today. I was surprised at how strong and resilient I felt while doing it. In other words, I still worked hard, but was able to keep on working hard for a longer period of time. Hopefully this will continue as a trend.

[nutbar]

Originally Posted by stingo

Yay for non-cheating reps. This was a lot harder, but much more honest.

Originally Posted by stingo

In other words, I still worked hard, but was able to keep on working hard for a longer period of time.

Yay, you! Increasing weights is cool but these two things you mentioned are, to me, the best of all!

[stingo]

Originally Posted by nutbar

Yay, you! Increasing weights is cool but these two things you mentioned are, to me, the best of all!

Thanks Diane - yeah I was pretty happy with that myself. In that regard, I really need to start timing my stairs runs so I have a metric for assessing performance. Just that they've (stair running) been tougher with the addition of the complex. Ah well, an opportunity to show more improvement.

[missjane]

Nice workout, Tom!! And, the orchestra sounds lovely! We have a great outdoor concert pavilion about a mile from my home and it is the home of the Cleveland Orchestra in the summer. It's such a great time to go see them and sit under the stars!

OK, Tom, I tried the Chicken Vindaloo, and an expensive little cooking adventure it was! Those spices are EXPENSIVE. And, see, I really, really wanted to like it because EVERYONE does. Kind of like how I WANT to like coffee because everyone does, but I just don't. Same witht he Vindaloo. So sad.

Good news is that it was one of 4 dishes I made last night, so I am still good to go in the food department this week!

[stingo]

Originally Posted by missjane

Nice workout, Tom!! And, the orchestra sounds lovely! We have a great outdoor concert pavilion about a mile from my home and it is the home of the Cleveland Orchestra in the summer. It's such a great time to go see them and sit under the stars!

OK, Tom, I tried the Chicken Vindaloo, and an expensive little cooking adventure it was! Those spices are EXPENSIVE. And, see, I really, really wanted to like it because EVERYONE does. Kind of like how I WANT to like coffee because everyone does, but I just don't. Same witht he Vindaloo. So sad.

Good news is that it was one of 4 dishes I made last night, so I am still good to go in the food department this week!

Yeah the Philly orchestra does that too at the Mann Music Center - I've yet to see them in their summer home though. (Mainly because I hear them in Verizon Hall at least 9 times a year - the trip length's enough to put a damper on repeat visits.)

Ah so sorry that you didn't like the Vindaloo - hopefully you can use the spices in other dishes though. If you do any Indian cooking apart from that you'll probably need them. Goes to show you that palates (and bodies in general) are individual specific. I was going to post to your log how impressed I was with your putting together your meals in the same day, but I kinda got sidetracked into commenting on your progress pics. You've got it going on all over the place - great job indeed.

[RacerBill]

That concert sounds amazing. I'd love to hear Philly in person sometime. I've heard Joshua Bell before and he's really extraordinary. It's hard to believe such a young musician can play with such depth.

Great workout -- nice work on those pullups. And the planks are coming along, too.

[Willie]

Originally Posted by stingo

It finally