Symphony - the Finale: Like Jeffrey Eugenides

The Berg done, we walked into the foyer of the enormous complex and after a quick pee, had a glass of wine and talked about the music thus far.   We both agreed that the Berg wasn't our favorite but we could see the validity in his work and appreciated its musical merits.

I furtively looked around and concluded that I was underdressed for the occasion.   A rubber suit would have been better.  I was told that I could wear "fancy" jeans as long as I wore a sports jacket, and went with that because all of my slacks are ill fitting and I prefer to be comfortable.  To be fair, I had just come from Los Angeles, and people there get away with wearing pretty much anything to special events.  Nonetheless, I felt a little embarrassed and so treated myself to another drink to steel my nerves.

Fifteen minutes later we were back in our seats anxiously awaiting Brahms and the return of the concert master - replete with the unnecessary clapping - and the conductor.   From what I knew about Brahms, I wasn't expecting much.  I thought that he may have been in the classical era if not slightly later.  I'm a Mozart lover, and anything that doesn't sound at least a little bit like him, can become dull.  I'm glad I tempered my expectations for Brahms because he completely blew me away.

The piece was fantastic.  During the intermission the symphony grew by a dozen violins, several more cellos and a few brass here and there.  The piece moved quickly and had a body to it that resonated with me and gave me goosebumps more than a few times during its 45 minute run.  Between the second and third movements someone in the balcony starting clapping - such a novice.  I caught the first cellist roll his eyes right before he pulled back his bow and fired away on the third and final movement.

The Brahms piece came to a close in my favorite of fashions - with a resounding, repeating finale.  The audience could barely hold their applause - what with their predilection for clapping,  I'm surprised they did - and as soon as the last cymbal clash dissipated, we erupted in applause and continued for five minutes.

Of the many things  I learned during my first symphony experience these stand out:  I need to buy better fitting slacks for special occasions, I may also need to buy a rubber tuxedo, and Brahms definitely does not suck.