Kilted in the Concert House

[GG]

In the Copenhagen Concert House they will some afternoons at 5 o’clock have some short concerts called Metro Concerts. They are very relaxed, including the orchestra and the conductor who are quite casual dressed and tickets are really cheap, DKK 75, which equals 10 EUR, 9 £ or 14 US$.

Yesterday my wife was to come home late and I decided not only to go for the concert but also wear a kilt. A few months ago I attended an organ concert, as some of you might remember. On the program were Elgar's 1st Symphony and Pomp and Circumstances.

It was my first Metro Concert and I hadn’t expected that it should be difficult to obtain tickets (there are 1.800 seats) but when I arrived everything had been sold out. A couple in their mid or late fifties which stood in the line before me suggested that we should wait and see if something turned up.

I small talked to the lady and suddenly she burst out: “But I haven’t recognized it before now. You look gorgeous. Perfect for Pump and Circumstances”. And then to her husband: “Have you seen what the gentleman is wearing. He is really looking good; don’t you think so, too?”
Her husband smiled and agreed, even if not that convinced. But that the way it often is, I guess.

I talked a little bit more with the lady and eventually she managed to buy one ticket from a man who had one too many. If they could not get one more I could have that, she said. It would be a pity if I didn’t get in when I was so nicely dressed.

Five minutes after the concert had started an attendant informed us that she had five tickets that were paid for but had not been collected. She would wait for two minutes more and if nobody showed up we could get them. The couple got two tickets next to each other and I got one – and for free. It had to be, the attendant said, they were not allowed to sell the same ticket twice.

The concert had been a little delayed so that I managed to get to my seat before it started. It was on the first row high up and with a perfect view over the orchestra.

After the symphony there was a short break where video cameras were rolled in – the Concert House belongs to Danish Radio (the Danish state) - and some press photographers showed up. The audience was told that a conductor’s meeting was taking place in Copenhagen and that Pomp and Circumstances should be conducted by no less than 102 maestros (or do you say maestri?) one after another (10-15 seconds each), and which should reach for a Guinness record. So they did.

Sitting in the first row and with more cameras turned several times in my direction it is likely that I might have been videotaped. I just wonder when and if they are going to transmit it and if a man in a kilt is then to be seen.


This is what I was wearing. The tartan is MacDonalds of the Isles Ancient Hunting.


The arrow indicates my seat.

Greg

[Chas]

Well done Greg,

A world record occasion, free ticket, on TV and kilted - you're a lucky man!

Regards

Chas

[Rex_Tremende]

I've seen photos of that concert hall before, and the arrangement of some of the seating behind the orchestra is one of its innovations. It's a view that I've had many times from being in choral ensembles, such as with the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus and the CSO and Cincinnati Pops. The auditorium and stage were not designed for the benefit of the on-stage performers sitting in risers, however. So, I'm curious how was your experience as a spectator, in a seat in a hall designed in such a way that pleasure should be gained from behind the scenes?

Regards,
Rex.

[Detroitpete]

That's an amazing looking hall. I would love to sit above the orchestra like that! Every time I go to our Symphony Orchestra here (DSO) I go kilted. Hmmm..same is true about the ballet, local rep theatre, opera, museum. Ah culture and kilts--a perfect fit!

[LoftGuy]

Hi,

Sounds like a wonderful time in a simply fantastic venue. Your outfit looks smashing.

[GG]

The auditorium and stage were not designed for the benefit of the on-stage performers sitting in risers, however. So, I'm curious how was your experience as a spectator, in a seat in a hall designed in such a way that pleasure should be gained from behind the scenes?

Regards,
Rex.

It was for the first time that I experienced a concert from that angle and I always thought that it should not be very attractive. However, I didn’t realize that the sound was deteriorated or unbalanced in any way, which had been my first concern and the advantage is that you can see the conductor’s face – like when you buy a DVD or look at a TV transmission. Also you are quite close to the orchestra when sitting beside or even behind the orchestra; at least it is the case in Copenhagen (and in the Berlin Philharmonie which might have been the inspiration when designing the concert house in Copenhagen).
So it was a positive experience in every respect.

Greg

[Highlander31]

Sounds like a wonderful time. You look well put together.

[MartinGrenoble]

Not really a new seating arrangement. I remember attending various performanes oin the London Festival Hall in the early 60s.
We had to queue a month in advance to get these cheap seats at the back of the stage, which were perfect for piano recitals (choosing the place carefully, it was just right to see both the soloists face and his hands), and for chamber concerts (the Brandenburg concertos, watching the conductor moulding the music with his hands -- wonderful).
On another occasion, I remember being in the main general audience and falling asleep ... That would not have happened with the musicians at ones feet!

Martin

[Oddern]

Blimey Greg, How lucky can a kilted man get. first lots of compliment from a lady, free tickets and kilted on National TV. WOW
Skål!

[LoftGuy]

I didn’t realize that the sound was deteriorated or unbalanced in any way, which had been my first concern and the advantage is that you can see the conductor’s face – like when you buy a DVD or look at a TV transmission.

Greg

Excellent point, many conductors are truly inspiring to watch as they totally throw themselves, both physically and mentally, into their conducting. Their baton becomes a blurr, facial expresions and body language all combine to inspire the muscians to achieve their highest level of performance while leaving the conductor totally spent, and drenched in perspiration.

Depending on the work being performed, I believe being seated behing the performers can be a distinct advantage.