The Fredösphere

Last night's concert was a blast.  The U of M kids did well on Beethoven's 9th, but I was mesmerized by Bright Sheng's Nanking!  Nanking!  Yang Wei, the soloist, was a revelation.  His instrument is the pipa, a Chinese stringed instrument adapted over centuries from the western lute.  The composer (who also conducted) explained he was drawn to the pipa because of its flexibility and great tradition of virtuosity.  Yes, Sheng's music is severe, especially when it describes a horrible event.  Still, I think this one will stay in my memory for a long time.

Beethoven's 9th:  that old warhorse!  I was so pleased by the way juxtaposing "Beethoven's 9th" and "free concert" excited people, even those not terribly interested in classical music.  Last night's crowd contained at least eight people more than it would have it I didn't spread the word.  From the wifeösphere and I, to ten people:  that's a fivefold increase!  If this trend continues, a typical concert of classical music in 2019 will attract an audience larger than the entire population of planet earth.  We'll have to start importing aliens for our audiences.  Classical music is saved!  Somebody tell Greg Sandow!