"Emotionally involving" music and your system...


I recently attended a concert performance of Brahms' 1st Symphony and found the experience, quite frankly, overwhelming. I had previously heard this piece at least a dozen times on my system. I had also attended roughly a dozen live concert events over the last several years. While I found each of these listenings on my system enjoyable and each of these live performances interesting, none had any real emotional impact. On this occasion, however, I felt swept up by the music. By the time the last few chords came crashing down in the final movement I felt emotionally drained and had shivers running down my spine. I still cannot explain my reaction. Perhaps I felt that same sense of exhilaration that Brahms must have felt as he composed those last few bars, casting off the great shadow of Beethoven for at least a few brief moments. When I returned home I put a copy of this same work on my system. It had none of the emotional involvement of the live performance.

My question, then, is this: What pieces of music have you heard performed live that have had this effect on you? Have you been able to duplicate this effect at home via a recording? (I am sure some of you might think my system needs an upgrade, and I agree, but I will save that for another post.)

krusty2k

Showing 2 responses by ozfly

Live music is almost always better because, I believe, you pick up the energy and dynamics of the musicians. That can't be done at home. For me, the following concerts hit home the closest regarding your question:

Bela Fleck (2001, Greensboro, Carolina Theatre) -- the live cd is great but can't approach the immediacy and energy of the live performance

Vladamir Horowitz (1977, Iowa City Hancher Auditorium) -- I sat to the left at eye level with the piano so could see him stroking the keys. Wow! A recording cannot duplicate that.

AC/DC (1995ish, Cleveland Colliseum) -- what can I say? The energy of that band has to be seen live to appreciate them.

Dave Brubeck (1998, Boston, Sanders Theatre, Memorial Hall) -- I sat on the stage itself. Holy moly! It was absolutely incredible.

Paul Sprawl (2003, the Garage, Winston Salem) -- this guy does stuff with his guitar you have to see to believe. His hands drum the acoustic guitar while he plays -- very complex, very musical. The cd is just not as much fun, though very good.
Pbowne, I heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra in Chicago in 1971 and was absolutely blown away! They performed at an outdoor venue and I ran out to buy an album the next day. Thanks for the reminder -- they must have been on a real roll that year.