I had the pleasure of participating in two rounds of the Modesto Symphony’s Project Personal Concert Commentary. The first was during the weekend of February 6-7 for the “Butterfly Lovers” program. On that occasion, Maestro David Lockington’s commentary introduced and provided exposition on Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. The second opportunity came with the “Ode to Joy” concert May 15-16 and featured discussion of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
As an avid Modesto Symphony fan and an iPod enthusiast, I applaud this match made in heaven. My wife and I have used podcast tours to navigate some of our favorite museums and cities, and discovered how significantly such insightful background enhances one’s experience of great art. Our hometown symphony has built upon this concept with concert commentary that adds depth to our enjoyment of the works offered without distracting from our appreciation of the gifts of the artists as they perform them.
Before each symphony weekend, I like to read the Program Notes on the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association website. We always take our seats in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater early for Maestro Lockington’s Pre-Concert Presentations. As I look forward to next season, I hope to be able as well to download Personal Concert Commentary to my iPod for additional insights shared in real time to help make a great night at the symphony even greater.
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