Electric Shocked by the Instruments

Review by Shannon Wu

            If you want to listen to live horror movie soundtracks, this is the place to go. The First Monday Concerts at Jordan Hall takes place only once every month­­­­­–the first Monday of each month.

            The concert was clever with their choice of music. The mood that each performance had built off each other, so much so that you could imagine a movie playing in your head. With all the musicians’ breathtaking performances, the sounds transferred though the entire Jordan Hall became so lively.

            The second performance was certainly the most memorable of all. Regardless of blue lights setting off a mysterious mood or the intriguing sound of music, the piece was definitely not what you’d expect to hear in a classical music concert.

            The piece, “Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale),” written in 1971, was composed by George Crumb. George Crumb’s music has become world renown as they were played in festivals from Los Angeles to Moscow, and from Scandinavia to South America. His wide range of music work is often composed of juxtaposition of contrasting music styles such as western art-music tradition, hymns, folk music, and non-Western music. His unique style of music got him the 2001 Grammy Award and the 1968 Pulitzer Prize in Music.

            Vox Balaenae was without a doubt one of the most idiosyncratic pieces that was freed from the standard of classical music. Vox Balaenae is played by an electric flute, electric cello, and amplified piano to create the special sound effect. Vox Balaenae began with a sharp resonance of the electric flute making almost a humorous melody. Joining in later on were the cello and a few strikes of the piano strings here and there, creating an imagery of a dark, solitary forest with a strong wind striking the leaves on the trees. The piece became more intense throughout. The tambor of the flute, cello, and piano made a perfect balance. They combined with one another like the cheese melted in a grilled cheese sandwich with the fullest consistency. Even though the piece sounded like the background music of a horror movie, the realistic effect of sensing yourself in a specific location by listening to the story of which the music is telling proved it was a successful piece of art.

            To get more creative music combo in one concert, check out the next First Monday Concert at Jordan Hall, and don’t forget that it’s free entrance!