Oakland East Bay Symphony Orchestra Tickets

Benedickt Brydern's premiere, "Double Identity," took me way back to Glenn Miller, but this was before knowing that he also composed for the film genre. Well done! Richard Strauss' "Don Quixote" once again showed the composer's instrumental prowess, whatwith one foot in 19th century Wagnerian tonality and the other in 20th century dissonance. However, from a soloist's stance, regarding the 'cello and viola solos, it would have given more "bite" to the performance if these instruments were tuned a microtone sharper for an edgier tonality to this piece. Adam Neiman's performance of the Tchaikovsky was perhaps the most crisp -- in a positive sense -- that I'd ever heard. Hopefully, we should be hearing more from this young, locally-trained pianist. And, on a curious note (pun intended), although there was reportedly no amplification, from where I sat there was a small but discernible echo effect, which may have been an acoustic artifact, but which didn't detract from the performance; however, this didn't explain why there were two sets of speakers on either side of the stage.

The Visionaries concert was excellent beginning with the "Double Identity" (World Premiere) a jazz composition by Benedikt Brydern. It was reminiscent of D. Ellington or Gershwin as an orchestral piece--very jazzy and full of swing. R. Strauss's "Don Quixote" was typically Strauss. I thought the cellist Reiter displayed wonderful technique and Maestro Morgan and OEBS were superb, but without a doubt Adam Neiman's performance of Tchaikovshy's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat Minor, Opus 23 stole the entire show. His technique, power and sensitivity are unmatch. I have never heard a better performance of Tchaikovshy's concerto. Neiman made the melodies of the piece sound as if they were drifting from a celestial realm. I have never been to a concert were an artist's performance brought me to tears of rapture. This particular performer did just that. I only wish his performace had been recorded live. It was unsurpassed!

Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 was outstanding. Richard Strauss - Don Quixote was a work in progress (also a difficult work to perform well) and Benedikt Brydern's Double Identity was interesting (although sounded like it was written in the 1940's.. The strings in this orchestra are outstanding ..

The screening of The General was superb!! The organist (name i forget) really did an amazing job of explaining the movie and the organ. Orchestral performance with organ was also superb. The only reason i didnt rate it a perfect score was the fact that there were no programs for our performance. Theh cleaning crew had disposed of them. For that price, we deserved a program. Not professional and unfortunate.

What a wonderful Sunday afternoon ! I went with my son (23) and father (85) and we all enjoyed it equally. My son was in total awe of the Mighty Wurlitzer having a love of organs himself. And what fun to see a Silent Movie w/ Buster Keaton !! Hilarous ! Then top it off in complete style the Oakland East Bay Symphony w/ Michael Morgan. Like I said a "Triple Play" !!!!!!

I was mainly there to see the movie, and was completely blown away by the symphony afterward. The organ accompaniment for the movie was wonderful, exciting, and made perfect sense with the movie. The Saint-Saens symphony afterwards was beautiful, poignant, and exhilarating. I would definitely attend future performances -- might even subscribe after this! And you have to love the venue -- there's nothing more beautiful than the gorgeous Paramount Theatre.

Coupling one of the greatest films ever made, to live organ accompaniment, on the program with a performance of the Organ Symphony of Saint-Saens at the over-the-top Paramount Theater made for a dynamite experience.

This was a great event. The organist did a great job coordinating the music to the movie, and that Wurlitzer is fantastic! Buster Keaton is of course, hilarious. The Saint-Saens in the second half was very nice, although I might have preferred a little more energetic tempo.

A wonderful afternoon was had by everyone who attended the Sunday, March 21st matinee performance by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. The mighty Wurlitzer was the star of the show! the first half of the program was the showing of the great Buster Keaton silent movie, "The General." The music from the organ perfectly fit the actions in the movie. During intermission, the stage was transformed into a regular symphony hall and the audience was treated to the rousing and beautifully directed Saint-Saens organ symphony. A eclectic and successful program! thank you Oakland East Bay Symphony and Michael Morgan

What's not to love? The Paramount Theatre, the huge organ well played, a great Buster Keaton film, even better music and the Oakland Symphony in top form.

Funny, timeless, fantastic organ music accompaniment. Once in a lifetime chance to see a great movie just as it was intended to be seen!

Sometimes older is better. A prime example of this was last night's The General, accompanied by organist Cristoph Bull. Mr. Bull, wearing red socks and a pink shirt under a black suit, prefaced the movie with an introduction to the Mighty Wurlitzer, giving examples of its special effects, and an explanation of how he prepared the musical accompaniment, surprising me by his poise and confidence. The second act featured Saint-Saens' Symphony #3 performed by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Halfway through the piece, during a grandiose passage, I realized that I had heard the melody before, in the movie Babe. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll kiss $60+ bucks goodbye. Highly recommended.

Excellent selections! Excellent performance! Loved everything about the whole show!

I had seen Rebecca Mauleon recently at Ft Mason in the Latin tribute to Michael Jackson with Seaon Stylist-Bristol and **had** to see her work again. I was not disappointed with the work, at all. The other two pieces in the show were fine, but paled by comparison. It's very easy to see how she would have been nominated for a Grammy :-)

I usually don't go to symphonies because I'm just not into classical music enough. But the "Afro-Cuban Suite" and "Harlem" drew me in to going. These two pieces kept getting better and better; I was wanting them both to last much longer. I loved seeing the Symphony perform this music. I hope to see more of the same exciting music in the future.

I really enjoyed this program. I have to qualify my review by saying that my friend and I had quite an adventure getting to the venue from our South Bay starting point so I showed up late; I missed most of the Ives part of the program. However, I came to see Rebeca Mauleon so was glad to make it in time for that. I thought Mauleon's piece was excellent, and Ellington's "Harlem" was a great complement. I read one review from a publication that said the program itself was somewhat monotonous (it wasn't criticizing the individual works), but the program didn't seem that way to me. Again, qualifying because I was not present for most of the Ives work. I don't know if, had I been present for the entire program, I would think differently. I'm guessing I wouldn't. I really enjoyed listening to Cuban rhythms played with full symphonic orchestration, and the conductor was a joy to watch; he was dancing to both Mauleon and Ellington's works, conducting the rhythmic energy of the music as well. This was unlike any other symphonic program I've seen, not that I've seen a ton. I don't know if purists would be into it, but I know what I like. And this program, I liked.

This was an awesome event, well put together! It is something I look forward to do again at OEBS.

Notes From Armenia was beautifully performed by the Oakland Symphony. The selections were great the and the performance was perfect! We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I wish we'd known that there is a free 30 minute lecture an hour before the show. I enjoyed the 5 minutes that I accidentally got to attend.

The event was unforgettible. Brilliant violinist, wonderful musical pieces.

This event had tremendous energy. The soloist was amazing and plucky young man. It would have been nice to have more diversity in the program--slanted very much toward the Stalin era compositions. Instead of the Mozart some Alan Hovhaness would have nice to include.