Hello to all the friends of the forum.
In recent days, I managed to treat myself and my wife to a few days of vacation; we spent three days in Budapest and four in Vienna (traveling between the two cities by train).
I won't stay here giving you a long report on the many beautiful things seen and the many aspects (positive and negative) of the visited cities; I will simply tell you about a concert we had the chance to attend.
We know what enormous difficulties those who today in Italy try to propose live listening of classical music encounter; between the public's disaffection and increasingly meager state funds, unfortunately, at the moment the landscape is "on average" discouraging, so much so that even very talented professionals have increasing difficulty working. Now, knowing that Vienna is "still" the European capital of music (15,000 concerts a year, so I read on a website), I thought that in one of those four days I would certainly seize the opportunity to listen to something.
There wasn't even a need for us to inform ourselves, because on the first morning, when we went to St. Stephen's Cathedral, we were immediately "assaulted" by various people offering us concert tickets. On the other hand, it is enough to take a walk through a few churches to notice that concert programs are often posted at the entrance, perhaps for organ solo. But let's get back to the concerts offered in front of the Cathedral, two of which presented very similar programs, with many well-known pieces (which could also be an opportunity for those who, like my wife, do not frequently attend concerts). Initially, we didn't say yes right away, then we were convinced by a bold young man who offered us a "2x1", that is, one ticket for €39 and another free.
So in the evening we went to the "Haus der Musik," located just steps from the Grand Opera House. Now, I must say sincerely that the concert was well below my expectations. Not because the musicians were not good, but because it seemed more like one of many "tourist trap" initiatives rather than a serious concert. First of all, the flyer spoke of an orchestra (of which I now do not remember the name), but in reality, it was a meager ensemble of string instruments with the addition of a piano, plus a tenor, a soprano, and a dancer (!); the program declared "The Four Seasons," but in reality, only the second movement of "Winter" was performed. Then there was the famous duet "Là ci darem la mano," and other pieces, including the first movement (only the first!) of the very famous "Eine kleine Nachtmusik"... which obviously arranged for piano and a few strings gave a very different effect from the original. The whole thing concluded (it goes without saying) with the same pieces that conclude the New Year's Concert ("The Blue Danube" and the Radetzky March).
What can I say? My wife was happy, I much less. What I asked myself is: when one speaks of 15,000 concerts a year, are we talking about well-made concerts, or opportunities to fleece tourists who know nothing about music? (because in Vienna, an extremely expensive city starting from an espresso at 2 euros and even more in suburban bars, there are far too many such occasions).
Naturally, some will think that I have too many demands, and that one must meet the tastes of the public. That may be true, but I don't want to be taken for a fool. If, for example, I know I am going to listen to a string quartet, and if the program declares that one of Beethoven's last quartets will be performed in the first part and in the second (let's say) a medley of famous soundtracks adapted for the occasion, I am not scandalized: if I feel like it, I go, and maybe it can even be a nice opportunity if the instrumentalists are good and the transcriptions are done with taste. If, however, a "mishmash" of arranged pieces is made, without even declaring that it is not a real orchestra and therefore nothing will be heard as it should be, I am not okay with it.
Was I unlucky, or are things always like this? Can any of you, who perhaps know the Viennese musical scene better, tell about your own experiences in this regard?
Bye to all
Gino
