Monday, May 24, 2004 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Orchestra's two performances at the Concergebouw (literally, the Concert
Building) were standouts. Another famed music hall, the Concergebouw is,
like the Musikverein, a shoebox-shaped jewel box, with stunning acoustics.
There is an extensive seating section behind the stage, "vineyard"
style, as in Verizon, but unlike in Verizon there is very little separation
between stage and seats. Here Concertmaster David Kim and Maestro Eschenbach
entered the stage from the rear, above the Orchestra, almost like a royal
entrance. Both audiences in Amsterdam were warm and enthusiastic. Although
standing ovations are apparently common here, it was an exciting sight
to see audiences rise to their feet at the close of the performances.
Although it was somewhat chilly, ample sunshine made for a good sightseeing day. Lee Gravagno, double bass, and board member Carole Haas Gravagno took a boat tour of the city through the extensive canal system. Many people visited the Van Gogh museum or the Anne Frank house, each powerful in its own way, while others rented bicycles or enjoyed strolling along the canals.
We were amused to find out that Maestro Eschenbach's suite at the Amsterdam Hilton, where the Orchestra stayed, was the same suite occupied by John Lennon and Yoko Ono on their honeymoon in 1969, site of their famous bed-in for peace. ("Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton / Talking in our bed for a week / The news people said / ''Hey, what you doin' in bed?'/ I said, 'We're only tryin' to get us some peace!'")
No tour is possible
without the huge efforts and superb work of our travel agents from Classical
Movements, Neeta and Jeen, both of whom are like family to the musicians
at this point. At each stop along the way they handle all the intricacies
of airport arrangements, hotel rooms, and just about any other request
that comes along. Konstantin, from Konzertdirektion Schmid, our tour agent,
is also accompanying the group on the entire tour, working with the stagehands,
crew, and house management at each hall to ensure that everything runs
smoothly. Jim, our security expert, makes his home in Blue Bell, PA and
is already eagerly looking forward to our Montgomery County neighborhood
concert in June. The tour "family" also includes Dr. Hartzell
and last, but by no means least, our hardworking stagehands, Ed, Jim,
and Jim. Kudos to everyone who makes it possible to get the Orchestra
on ten different stages over three weeks!
Katherine Blodgett,
Director of Public/Media Relations
Orchestra
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2004 The Philadelphia Orchestra
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