ConcertArt

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UNCSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA  (2017)

 

 

Hector Berlioz Roman Carnival
Conductor: Daniel Bukin

Ernest Bloch Schelomo Hebraic Rhapsody
Conductor: Christopher Lees, Cellist: Eli Kaynor

Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 8 in G, opus 88
Conductor: Christopher Lees

“Hearing with New Eyes”
We live in a culture in which the visual sense is dominant and artistic events of a predominantly aural (musical) nature, nationally, have been experiencing challenges in competing for audience share. The instinctual but erroneous response on the part of symphony orchestras is to add visual elements, such as projections, to some concerts, thereby hoping to appeal to a more contemporary, visually-oriented audience. This approach actually has the opposite effect, because the visuals compete with music and relegate it to a supporting role.

ConcertArt will, first, simplify and focus the visual elements of a standard concert environment by removing the visual distractions often present. For example, the floors and walls of most concert venues are usually light colored. The music stands and chairs for the orchestra are generally black. The contrast between these elements creates an immense amount of visual busy-ness, which is chaotic to the eye and therefore distracting to the reception of the music.

Secondly, by actively and evocatively, lighting the concert, the audience’s emotional experience of the musical will be enhanced. We do not use projected imagery or imagery that has a “narrative” meaning. Lighting is abstract and evocative, just as music is. Through color, intensity and angle, the lighting will become supportive of the music rather than the other way around. In essence, the goal of ConcertArt is to help the audience “see” the music.