Wednesday, and a concert

[ksmith]

So last night was my Ravinia night, a Chicago Symphony concert featuring violinist Joshua Bell. I didn't want to go.

I was bummed because of the truck repairs, and tired out from playing puppy nurse and the stress of it all. I didn't want to face evening rush hour traffic--I had driven to Ravinia once, and the jam-up on Lake-Cook Road was...simply amazing. I knew I'd get home late, and be tired the next day. All kinds of reasons.

Then the little voice in the back of my head said, Kris, it's a gorgeous summer evening. You need to get out.

I went by myself-sometimes, I need to get away by myself. Traffic turned out to be a non-issue--I was headed south, and the rush hour folk were all headed north. I arrived at Highland Park train station no worries, parked, and hitched aboard one of the Park n Ride buses to Ravinia Park. Walked around. Enjoyed the sun and the park and the people-watching. Grabbed dinner at the wrong place, unfortunately, and paid too much for some actively bad Szechuan beef with noodles. Not enough vegetables in the mushy noodles, the beef fatty and tough at the same time. The beer was good, though.

I'd opted for a box seat because I wanted to be in the pavilion and I wanted a good seat--this was a birthday present to myself and so there. Took my seat early and enjoyed looking around and soaking in the atmosphere. Heard 'excuse me,' and found myself talking to a young man named Oscar from Mexico who wanted to know if the empty seats in the box were taken. He had a seat waaaay in the back, and was hoping for a better one. He had an email acquaintance with a percussionist in the CSO, was very excited about being at Ravinia. He also happened to be a percussionist who just happened to have a CD of his music with him. I now have one. So does the couple who shared the box with us. And we are all supposed to visit his website, which is here.

It was strange. I felt at first as though I were online and someone spammed me with a story. I haven't listened to the CD yet. Maybe this weekend.

The concert started. The first piece was one I had never heard, Romanian Rhapsody in A Major by George Enescu. Then Bell came on to a round of applause. He played a concerto by Sibelius, which to my ear sounded at times like the incidental music in Beetlejuice and the Holmes series with Jeremy Brett. But I'm not fond of music that edges much past the mid-1800s, so. But to my inexperienced ear, Bell is an expressive, lyrical fiddle player. I'm looking forward to seeing Itzhak Perlman next month--I already have my ticket--so I can compare and contrast.

Bell received a standing ovation, and came back on stage a couple of times to take bows. Not like a show at Metro, though. No foot-stomping demands for encores, and, no encore numbers.

After intermission, the orchestra played Beethoven's 7th. That was grand.

Then to home. Found the bus line. Found Kuro. Drove home amid very light traffic. Easy. A much needed
break. I should do it more often.


In puppy news, fingers crossed but the Mickster is much, much better. The vet said that I would notice a big change around now, and she was right. The bounce has returned to his step. The hunch in his back, the result of him tucking to guard his abdomen, looks pretty much gone. He's playing more with his Kong, and is more awake in the morning. Runs a little bit. Much relief in Mudville. I take him in for a follow-up check Saturday morning. I assume there will be bloodwork, and I'm hoping for good news.

King hasn't chucked up since Sunday, for which I'm grateful. A line of t-storms is pushing through, and he's sleeping. He was edgy at first, as the ran started, but he settled down.

Comments

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

That sounds lovely. It's been ages since we've seen the CSO.

I'm glad that the puppies are feeling better.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I had only been to Ravinia one time before, and I'm pretty sure they played. It was a Mozart night. But I was on the lawn, and everyone is talking even though the signs are posted asking you not to and I go to concerts to hear the music. So, it's the pavilion for me.

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

I've never been to Ravinia. I'm usually not a big fan of outdoor music. I hate bugs, and the sound never seems quite right.

I was very tempted to see Aimee Mann and Squeeze this year, but it's a nightmare getting there from DeKalb.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The pavilion is different than pure outdoors--the back is open to the lawns, but the front half is walled, and there's a roof. I did hear a helicopter, and the odd train. Saw a skeeter and a lightning bug fly overhead. But other than that, I thought the sound was good. One inexpert opinion, but I would think they'd have put a bit of effort into the acoustics.

I'm lucky I live along a train line.