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This Means You!

September 29, 2008 at 9:42 AM

Downtown Anchorage seemed more crowded than usual this weekend. Not naive enough to believe that this was entirely due to our upcoming symphony concert, I speculated as to what other event might be taking place in the area. After noticing a high percentage of very tanned, abnormally chiseled people hanging out at the corner coffee shop, I guessed it must be some sort of body-building competition. My hunch was confirmed when, upon entering the backstage area of the symphony hall, I found this sign:

So of course, I told our conductor as I passed him with my violin, "Hey you, didn't you read that sign back there?"

That sign contains a great deal of ambiguity. Does it invite all the non-body builders to relieve themselves somewhere else other than in the rest rooms?
Saturday night's concert was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante and the interesting piece by Mussorgsky. It was well worth the long drive to Anchorage.

Thanks for playing.

I was surprised by how much everyone liked that Mussorgsky snippet. I think I forgot to pull my head out of the music and give it a good listen. I'm glad it was well-received, though.

I'd never heard the Prokofiev before, and I really enjoyed putting it together. There was one particular moment during rehearsal when everyone was plucking out the main theme of the first movement (such a militant, persistent motif!) and suddenly I was fully aware that the entire orchestra was in absolute perfect unison. It was as though a beast had come to life, and its energy was greater than the sum of its parts. Thrilling!

It didn't happen exactly like that during the performance, though--too bad. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, Keith. I think we did, too.

Hey! Halt right there! They don't want you dripping muscle shine grease on the floor. They'll slip and break their Stradivarios.
Great sign. Abnormally chiseled people take heed!