The Bruno Mars of Classical Music

Review of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 @ Seattle Symphony by Bethany B.

When I was little, the worst place I could possibly imagine was the symphony. I hated sitting for what seemed like hours just listening. A play or ballet was infinitely better than the orchestra. At the ballet, you see beautiful dancers and hear amazing music. The symphony, with the black clad stationary musicians, was just half the package!

I have to say, I was so wrong. Shostakovich? That totally blew my mind. There where three different music pieces that night: Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, Aram Khachaturian’s concerto for violin and orchestra, and of course Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony Number 5.

When the first piece started, I knew it was going to be my favorite. When the second piece started, I changed my mind. After intermission, my mind changed again because it kept getting better.

Seattle Symphony Concertmaster Maria Larionoff played Khachaturian's concerto, and it was purely inspired. Admittedly, I’ve been a violin geek since age five, so I know how incredibly hard the piece she performed is, and how beautifully she mastered it. Her bow glided over the strings, her fingers sped over the fingerboard, and her wrist vibrated with emotion. Her tone was sweet and relaxed, even when the music was racing over the scale.

Even if you don’t know the first thing about violin or classical music in general, you can appreciate the genius of the sound, and the beauty of art. Art is full of gorgeousness and beauty, which is blatantly obvious at the symphony. You may think classical music isn't your cup of tea, because you need something more exciting and dynamic, but the music found at Seattle Symphony is as dramatic as it comes. You won't be sitting at the edge of your seat, I’ll give you one better then that. At the symphony you’ll sit back in your chair, and listen to an action packed performance full of trumpets, cellos, harps timpani, (and so much more) relaxing into a wonderful sea of music.

Shostakovich is the Bruno Mars of classical music. No matter who you are and what you say, you still kinda love the sound of his music. Hey, it's not only beauty and art combined it's also pretty relaxing. If worst comes to worst though, you can always take the path of the guy next to me and have a nice doze during a long adage!

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 is closed
Next up at Seattle Symphony: Hovhaness Festival with Cellist Lynn Harrell
March 24 & 26
More info at seattlesymphony.org