We in Philadelphia right now have just a bit to be proud of if not out right complete brag rights too. If you follow classical music, which I love, the Philadelphia Orchestra, which is just phenomenal to hear, being one of the best in the world, is doing us proud currently on their European tour, which has been getting rave reviews!!!! One of my readers Cello Josh is with the orchestra. We have met twice now, once at the orchestra and in New Hope to see the guys of the group Well Strung. I must say he is a talented cellist. I must have him sometime to the Casa for a cocktail recital!!! We have kept in touch over emails. When I hadn't heard anything lately, I had forgotten he must have left for the concerts in Europe. Yesterday I received a email from him. He starts by saying he misses the antics on the blog of ALL things!!!!!!!
"I have arrived last week, and am getting very nervous for these upcoming concerts. There hasn't been much rest for anyone after our season ended. I can't believe I am still here, and the beauty of the cities here are jaw dropping. Unfortunely we will have very little time for sight seeing or taking in local culture with our schedule. It has been grueling. Most of our stops thus far have been met with much fan fare and standing ovations, and encores lasting as much as 3/4 an hour. " I am really looking forward to Paris and London"
Josh also included a few snaps. The below was from a fellow musician while traveling on rail. He snapped Josh on departure day, looking like a stunning gentleman, and what a cello! Gorgeously subtle, yet stylish attire goes so well with our handsome blond.
Josh also included a few snaps. The below was from a fellow musician while traveling on rail. He snapped Josh on departure day, looking like a stunning gentleman, and what a cello! Gorgeously subtle, yet stylish attire goes so well with our handsome blond.
I can't help but wonder if Jon from Delores Delargo Towers and my fellow gin blossom, will be seeing any of their concerts while in London. The letter went on to say we will need to get together so I can hear all about his trip once back. He also stated up there about being very tired already, and for good reason. The orchestra was not resting up before the journey, which they concluded their season with two of their most vibrant programs ever. Nézet-Séguin collaborated with opera director Kevin Newbury for a full re-staging of Leonard Bernstein's MASS that marshaled area singers, musicians, actors and dancers to make it an truly musical ecumenical event, some 250 performers joining forces for the production.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin primed the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philly, in preparation for their current European tour, which includes performances in Vienna, Dresden, Paris, Luxembourg, Cologne, London, Berlin, and mind you..... over three weeks. It is the first European tour the orchestra has been on since Nézet-Séguin became musical director of the Fabulous Philadelphians three years ago.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is not just one of the most artistically-acclaimed Orchestras in the world, but it is also a vital Cultural Ambassador for our fine city, and one that brings tremendous economic development to the city by making the case for doing business in Philadelphia. The Orchestra has served in this critical role for decades, dating back to its first transatlantic tour to Great Britain with Music Director Eugene Ormandy in 1949. On that tour, the Philadelphia Orchestra performed 28 concerts in 27 days, marking the first time an American orchestra had crossed the Atlantic after World War II. The Orchestra’s most recent visit to London was in 2011 with Maestro Charles Dutoit.
The Philadelphia Orchestra has long been one of the best-known brands from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania around the world.
The trip is also another milestone in the longstanding friendship and partnership between Philadelphia and the United Kingdom, as the Orchestra will be coming back to London for two performances with its new music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, former Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic. These two performances on June 5 and 6, 2015, will be the exciting culmination of the Orchestra's 2015 European Tour, and will give London audiences the first chance to hear The Philadelphia Orchestra with Yannick, who is only the 8th Music director, mind you in The Philadelphia Orchestra's 114 year history. Good luck Cello Josh and to the rest of you brilliant musicians!!!!!! We have never been so proud of you and the City of Philadelphia!!!!
That's right !!!!! You go Philadelphia!!!!! I have seen some of there performances at Penns Landing. I often get chills.
ReplyDeleteThat must be like the trip of a lifetime!!!!! Well wishes to such fine musicians.
ReplyDeleteRECOGNIZE, YO!
ReplyDeleteI do not know diddly squat about any of this type music,but this is awesome!! Safe travels to Cello Josh!
ReplyDeleteThe Philadelphia Orchestra is a force of nature. It is great to see the orchestra traveling abroad sharing their immense talents. William and I only missed one performance this year, and their season end show was spine tingling. Cello Josh certainly is a handsome guy! Absolutely marvelous
ReplyDeleteYou made me look up ticket prices for my local symphony, and... well, I think I'm going to stick to hockey games.
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes the tickets can be expensive. If your interested in your local symphony....check their schedule when in season. They often do pop up concerts which are free to their cities citizens. They usually love a good crowd to please.
DeleteWow! That pop-up performance was marvellous - It must have been absolutely spellbinding to have been there. No wonder you're so proud.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!. So happy I was able to attend one show once two years ago and, my partner and I often listen to the Sunday radiocast on our local public radio station. Thanks for posting this , what a great honor to be having.
ReplyDeleteHow very cool is that. And Cello Josh is quite a cutie. I love a guy with a big instrument between his legs.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you this Cali Boi, you dirty mind is nothing but consistent.
DeleteSimply unparalleled. I've never heard such a nuanced interpretation of many of the suites they perform. This is quite an honor for them, and what a privilege to represent Philadelphia and the country.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see them. They are playing Shostakovich and Rachmaninov next Friday, and Beethoven and Tchaikovsky on Saturday, both at the Royal Festival Hall. Unfortunately tickets are a little out of or price range just at the moment... Jx
ReplyDeletePS "Cello Josh" is gorgeous...
Isn't he just adorable!!!!! ....I hear the prices. Sometimes its a weeks worth of gin drinking out for moi!!!! But their Saturday night performance will be excellent......I only wish I could see that one! Perhaps a local station on your radio will do a music cast of it.
DeleteAhhhhhh, shuck
Deletebetween your love of nature, the arts, and taking in and supporting artist and so many, many,many,many houseboys, you really are a society matron aren't you?
ReplyDeleteWow! Very special and impressive.
ReplyDeleteBRAVO!!!! I'm glad to see at least one day of the week is classy around here.
ReplyDeleteDamnit! Why didn't we plan a trip to England for the summer? And we could have taken a small trip to Plymouth to tour the gin distilleries. The one time I went to Plymouth was on a Sunday and the distilleries were closed. So many tears and wailing. But then I had a nice curry at a pub. Oh and the bus ride back through a foggy Dartmoor also helped a wee bit.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Plymouth for two years. The gin distillery was a major attraction; particularly for me... Jx
DeleteI was in summer school in Exeter and we took a day trip to Plymouth. My other favorite day trip was the one to Torquay.
DeleteBoy, do you two know how to make a mouth water!!!!! But would they be ready for our huge consumption, distillery or not.
DeleteWe need to go to Plymouth! Perhaps we can go next year before I head to Spain.
DeleteThank you for such a nice post and the recognition!!!! It was a trip of a lifetime and were so flattered the Europeans love so so much! I will have to share this with all.
ReplyDelete