And I say that in the least judgemental way possible, considering that I also chose to attend this event. However, any show that has fans screaming out "Live long and prosper!!!!!," not in the serene, contemplative manner in which it was first heard on TV, but in the harsh, excited tones of a drunken fratboy, well, that can definitely be counted as a raging nerdfest. A concert called To Boldly Go..., narrated by Leonard Nemoy? No question, right? Let's just say that there were quite a few
sightings... (I wonder what the video game music concert will be like!)
So, let's see, Emil de Cou was appropriately charming, introducing the symphonic themes from 2001 Space Odyssey, Twilight Zone, The X Files, Star Wars, and The Bride of Frankenstein. Strangely and yet obviously, the music from Star Trek needed no introduction, and the lawn fans went nuts when it began. (How often do the lawn fans rock out at the symphony??!!) The last piece of the first half, the closing music from The Wrath of Khan, featured the disembodied voice of Spock himself, which really excited the fans. I thought it was silly, though, not to use the giant projector screen hanging overhead for this half of the concert. Considering that the screen was distractingly present and all of the music could have been easily matched to TV/movie moments, it was kind of a waste.
Now, all this pop classical was fun, but what I had come for was The Planets. Specifically, the movement dedicated to Jupiter, which is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. This may have a lot to do with the fact that every time I hear it, I'm sensorially transported back in time to my last GBYSO concert on a moonlit beach in Nettuno, Italy... Anyway, I was disappointed, but not at all surprised that they moved the order of performance so that Jupiter would be played as the finale. Disappointed, because I'd have to stay till the very end (which I hardly ever do) to hear it, but appreciative of the fact that it would be the best piece to end the evening. The visit from some famous American astronaut (he looked nice, he wore a blue uniform, who says I don't do details??!!) and the NASA photos of Mars, etc. provided an engaging counterpoint to the music. While the Mars Rover pictures were interesting, the shots from the Hubble were gorgeous and much more visually arresting (sorry, Mars, your brown and red and orange and burnt sienna and brick, etc.-colored rocks really don't pop on the screen).
The NSO did a good job on the music, but there was just a hint of sloppiness that really drove home the sense that this was an outdoor, summer concert. It was all right, but was slightly distracting, since I know first hand that the score isn't that technically challenging. Also, the pacing and instrumental highlighting chosen by Emil were different from my recording, so I have to say that a few of my favorite moments were lost (though this could have been due to the sound quality at my particular seat on the lawn). However, the feeling of sitting on a cozy blanket outside, on a beautiful night, looking up at the stars, while letting the music float around me; that was nearly magical. *dreamy smile*
(It was good to finally see people I know at the Park. One set of friends, one acquaintance sighting, and an accidental bumping into of old friends.)
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