Classical music is something I know very little about. It was never played in our house when I was growing up and we never really had any exposure to it at all. Then I married one of the members of the ASO chorus.
Over the last few years I've been to a handful of symphony concerts to see my wife perform. Usually on a Thursday or Friday night because Saturdays were sold out. Except for one show, I was by myself every time. So there I was, tired from a long day at work, sitting alone and listening to music that I had never heard before. It's not hard to imagine me maybe nodding off a time or two.
Then along comes John Adams and his violin concerto with the lead violin played my Midori. Once again I was alone, since no one would go with me, and sitting in row K of the orchestra pit - horrible place to sit. This piece of music rocked my world. I sat there fascinated for 35 minutes. If you want to hear a sample of it you can find it at Adams' website earbox. Just search through his works and click on Violin Concerto(1993).
During the intermission I hooked up with a friend who was there and we snagged some seats in the loge for the second set. Once again I was floored by the music. I may not have enjoyed the second and third pieces quite as much if I had been alone. Sitting next to a true music fan helps a little sometimes.
So finally, after 3 years of going to the symphony, I have been truly moved by a piece of music. There were other concerts I enjoyed, but nothing that had me up at 8:30 on a Sunday morning looking for sound bytes of that first piece so I could remember being there.
A little late in life, but I may just be starting to get it.
