Classical
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The performance by West Javanese artists was an amazing experience. Clearly, the best of the best traveled to DC for the event. I loved every dance, but I also treasured the performance by two singers of a classical psalm of thanks.
The tradition of bringing wonderful artists continues with the Indonesian dancers and singers from West Java at the Sackler/Freer Gallery. Colorful costumes, authentic music and dance was a real treat .
I absolutely loved the wonderful music----sometimes pure music and sometimes with lovely singing. I was actually most moved by the wonderful male vocalist. His voice is incredibly versatile and magnificent. He showed great depth of expression and an easy control. Life can be so amazing. After hearing him, I wished that I could tell him how much I appreciate his wonderful talent. During the intermission, he was in front of me at the urinal in the men's room. So, my wish came true. I told him that he has a voice of great beauty and that I appreciated hearing him sing. He thanked me and bowed with hands together in a traditional gesture with the very typical huge smile that Indonesians wear. I was so happy to connect with the singer. As a part of an audience, I often feel that clapping and howls of joy are insufficient. I want to say, I loved the entire performance. I love the gamelan. The humor and drama of the dance was also, lovely.
Terrific singers, excellent musicians, hilarious comediennes. Highly recommended.
Gilles Vonsattel played with an enchantingly delicate touch and gave engaging comments on the program. A charming artist!
Virtuoso who can express the entire range of emotions on the piano.
I went for the Schubert Octet, but was delighted by the first half of the program, which included a Max Reger serenade for string quintet and Dvorak's "Cypresses," seven of a set of 18 songs rearranged for string quartet and published posthumously. I'd like to have heard all 18.
I went to hear ModernWorks (chamber ensemble) at the Freer Gallery (6 March 2014). Interesting program of contempory classical music by Turkish and Iranian composers, and Kazem Davoudian was virtuosic on the santur (an instrument I was unfamiliar with). Some of the pieces I enjoyed, some not so much, but that's what I expect from new music. What I didn't expect was inappropriate behavior from concert-goers. Of course people were asked to turn off their phones, but that didn't stop sme of them right next to me from using their phones as reading lights *during the performance*. Even more egregious was someone taking pictures, a couple with *flash*, again during the performance. If Freer is going to allow this sort of thing, I think they owe it to us to let us know in advance that they do, so that we can make the choice not to attend if we like. Otherwise, they need to enforce norms of behavior a bit better.
This show was excellent from start to finish. The audience was on their feet for a heartfelt ovation. Thank you Freer gallery for an outstanding experience.
authentic persian & syrian music with traditional sounds and instruments. We very much enjoyed and highly recommend. Saied and the guys were great. Amazing percussionist, Ud and saxaphone player.
Did not know what to expect. Excellent musicianship and high energy.
Bravo to the Freer. I don't care about hearing a Dvorak quartet for the 100th time. There is so much music in this world. I am most grateful when the Freer does not repeat what other venues repeat. I used to go to National Symphony concerts. Then, I would read how arrogWhat a lovely, beautiful concert. What a great celebration of life and love. There was so much heart and incredible brilliant talent. How wonderful that these diverse musicians have come together. I so hope that traditional and folk music will live on forever. This fusion can also help in that effort and creates something new, beautiful and exciting. I was sitting next to a very young man who was moving his body to the music in such an excited way that it actually rocked my own seat. At first, that bothered me, but then he made me feel the music, also. There was such a great connection of audience and musicians. Father and son and a guy who cannot even speak the same spoken language is so amazing. But through music, they make love. The foreign music concerts at the Freer are certainly the most important concerts that they present. As an Asian museum, I am so happy they share this music. ant critics would rip apart the performance the next day in the local papers. I am not a critic. I am in love with music. I accept music as it is. I am not a judge. I am a lover. Thanks so much.
An interesting look at the music and some instruments we may not be familiar with, as well as some that we are familiar with such as saxophone And oud. Exciting percussion work and soulful performance of the whole ensemble
This was a "pick-up-group" as in, they don't usually play together. However, in Bali people are raised on this music and from the western perspective this was the most amazing and fast collaboration of musicians I've ever seen. So coordinated. So good. The audience didn't even know what they were privileged to. It was fantastic and I wish we had more opportunities to see things like this.
Great show: wonderful energetic dancing and music!
The musicians and the dancers are awsome. You never want to get up from your seat. I wish they are back again.
The lovely dancers, women and men, were incredibly mind-altering. It was a hypnotic, brilliant, incredibly skillful, meditative, and spectaculary beautiful evening. The musicians and singers were equally as incredible as the dancers. The music is spiritually transcendent, like that of the Sufi's or the chants of Buddhist monks. It was truly a mystical experience. Yet, it was actually happening. I had to pinch myself. WOW! I really am in heaven. I have always thought that heaven is here on earth and no place else. Now, I have actually found it. I hope to see, hear, and to experience more. It is a dance and music that is so unlike that of other Asian countries. The costumes were incredibly beautiful. The only sadness I felt, as I left, is a concern that heaven might not last forever. May the culture of Indonesia live on forever. It is so important for cultures to hold on to their traditions of music, dance, art, drama, literature, etc. It is the heart and soul of a people. It is love. Thank you, Smithsonian and Embassy of Indonesia.
this dance troupe is a great group (in term of technique) and attached to Javanese court, i hope the description of the dances prepare carefully for giving acknowledgement to the particular knowledge, not as if an entertainment,because it is not about pleasure for watching "the primitive" the uncivilized, the timeless, but it is different mechanism of power, aesthetic and the resillience of women within that structure.
Sonia M'Barek brings to mind Fairuz. Yet, in many ways, I love her more. Her voice is so lovely. She also conveys a big heart and a beautiful interpretation of each song. I hope to hear her many times over. How wonderful she was at the Kennedy Center a few years ago at the Arabesque Festival. The concert this past weekend was more intimate. The musicians were outstanding and all showed how much they love this great music. May this traditional music live on forever.
It is my own fault because I didn't know much about the music that would be played. I just went because I am a Richard Stoltzman fan. There was too much screeching and squawking and lack of melody for me.
