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So happy to have the DSO back to perform at Meadow Brook, it has been too long since the regular visits to this family friendly site. Joshua Bell was an inspiration to our two grandchildren for his talent and enthusiasm for his craft. Looking forward to a return to Meadow Brook Music Festival by the DSO
This was the first time I saw Joshua Bell in person - what a treat. Excellent performance - excellent venue.
Terrific concert altogether I took my daughter with me he is very inspirational to her. I would highly recommend attending his fine performance to anyone. Joshua Bell is a stellar performer and an excellent violinist! All the best and congratulations to him. Sam and Raneen.
It was a superb performance. The DSO was great, as always, and Joshua Bell was masterful.
This was a spectacular performance with surprise special guests. Great venue for such an amazing concert performance.
It was a beautiful evening, the concert was very good, and all of Joshua's friends added greatly to the concert. Our seats were good and the weather cooperated and it was a very nice balmy evening.
Joshua Bell is a wonderful violinist, and he showed it. But why he chose the friends he did is a mystery to us. Glen Close who? A toss in at best. The pianist from Vegas? Ho hum. He did not add to the program. NOT AT ALL! The violinist who played with Bell? Why bother? Very NOT vigorous as a presentation. All the pieces played were somewhat average. And, the conductor Tovey? The last piece was pretty good, but...not worth the price of admission. All in all, I feel I overpaid tremendously. We'll think twice before returning to the Bowl. Very disappointing evening, save for Bell. Bummer.
Joshua Bell is the one Bowl artist I never miss -- it's just not summer without him. As usual, he is perfect and sublime.
The show was good in general, the L.A. Symphony sucks when all they play are horrible unknown soundtracks, Joshua Bell was great, wished he played more with his friends, specially the piano guy and the 3 fiddlers.
Amazing show! Especially loved Death by Triple Fiddle.
Amazing show!!! What a night :) Joshua Bell ranks among the very best!
Great mix of classical and hits, awesome talent! The variety provided by Joshua Bell teaming up with friends made for a very enjoyable night.
The program seemed to have been assembled at random. Stravinsky (without Bell) to open and close the show, and then a motley assortment of guests who, with Bell, did everything from Broadway musical songs to the Beatles to bluegrass to classical.
Opening night for the LA Philharmonic Orchestra was made a little bit more friendly with Joshua Bell including a few of his friends to participate. Not only was Mr. Bell delightful as he introduced is guest performers, he told the audience a little bit about how he became friends with them. He made a very personal connection with his fans that night and perhaps gathered more fans and friends at the same time. The Orchestra was wonderful and pleasantly intermixed with duets that Joshua played with his friends. Of course, the Maestro's solos were beyond words. This should have been a sell out evening, but wasn't. I personally am grateful for that, because I was able to score a ticket. But, the folks that passed up going to this concert, really missed out. My advice? Don't miss this next time (but save a couple of seats for me). I will definitely go again.
The Joshua Bell and Friends concert on July 8th was fun from start to finish. Joshua Bell had invited several friends to join him in selections that showcased their mutual talents. Perhaps the most interesting was "Death by Triple Fiddle" for three violins and double bass. An energetic piece, reminiscent of "Bowfire". Watching one the big screens which enhanced the performances greatly, I could see members of the orchestra beaming as they watched as raptly as the audience did. Glen Close performed "With One Look" from "Sunset Boulevard" and "Lay Your Head Down" from "Albert Nobbs" with Mr Bell.s lyrical accompaniment. The first moved me to tears, although in the second number, Ms Close had trouble with a note in the lower register and never regained her composure. The audience, however was very appreciative. "Eleanor Rigby", described by Mr Bell as a fantasy was performed with Vegas entertainer Frankie Moreno at the piano and providing the vocals. It was over all too quickly for this reviewer. There was also a duet between Mr Bell and Philippe Quint in Navarra by Sarasate. Both soloists used scores and there were occasional slight "disagreements" in timing both between the soloists, and with the orchestra. One surmises that there was little rehearsal time due to scheduling conflicts. Mr. Bell played two solo works. Tzigane by Ravel was fascinating to watch. I was expecting Ziegeunerwiessen, as originally advertised, but the Ravel was a very acceptable substitute. I confess, that as a violinist, I am not a big fan of Tzigane and find it hard to maintain interest during the long opening Cadenza. However, being able to watch Mr Bell on the big screens added a completely new dimension to my enjoyment of the piece. Live concerts are still the best way to experience showpieces. The other piece was a lyrical movie tune, "Ladies in Lavender". This was Joshua Bell at his strength and best. His sweet tone and evident emotion are what make him one of the most popular violinists today.the audience actually paused several seconds before applauding, so carried away by the emotion. Age will eventually blunt the dazzling technique, but his soft, achingly beautiful music will carry him for many years. The two orchestral bookends to the concert, "Fireworks" and "Firebird Suite" , both by Stravinsky set off and closed the concert delightfully. The orchestra was well disciplined by Maestro Tovey and the ending to the "Firebird" is one of the most moving and dramatic in all classical literature. The Bowl experience continues to improve. Over the years, the struggle with acoustics has been won. The occasional helicopter or siren will always be distracting, but unavoidable. At one point, a siren started up just as Mr Bell and Ms Close were ready to begin. He paused a second, then gave a slight smile and a shrug, and started in. The Bowl staff were all courteous and friendly, from the program sellers to the ushers. Our seats were in Section S, front row, our favorite place to sit and we were able to get them only two weeks before the concert. All in all, a very pleasant way to spend a warm Summer evening.
Josh is a master, young, and sweet, and so were the sounds of him with his friends and the LA Phil. And what a treat to see Glenn Close and hear her sing!
Not a good choice for our first Josh Bell performance. It was an incongruous collection of other artists and Bell's contribution to some of their pieces was ancillary. One exception was Death by Triple Fiddle, the most memorable piece of the concert.
The concert was leaded by Joshua Bell and enriched with his remarkable friends. This is very occasionally concert. Glenn Close was really professionally singing. Of course the other friends were unforgettable.
He was great...and his friends were too. The concert suffered from poor programming. It should have been Bell from beginning to end. Having him go off and then finishing the concert with The Firebird (although one of my favorite pieces), was a mistake and disorienting.
Despite what Mark Swed said about the concert, we loved it. We always enjoy Joshua Bell, and were wonderfully surprised by the singing of Glen Close, since we didn't know she could even sing. Her singing was so augmented by her acting ability that it was a total experience of really delivering a song with heart and meaning. We also enjoyed some variety in the music. And of course Bell's playing was amazing as usual.