Classical Revolution Cleveland November Edition (@ Prosperity Social Club)

Walking into Prosperity Social Club a bit tardy this evening my ears were hit with a lively dance tune courtesy of a string quintet; my eyes once again struck by the incongruity of the perennially spinning disco ball above the unassuming stage.

The opening stanzas from The Limousines' Internet Killed The Video Star played through my head and seemed apt given the classical music audience situation: "The kids are disco dancing/They're tired of rock and roll/I tried to tell them 'hey, that drum machine ain't got no soul/But they don't want to listen, no/They think they've heard it all/They trade their guitars in for drum machines and disco balls"

Absent said disco ball, the "Food" and "Liquor" neon signs in the windows, and the drop ceiling, I wondered if this might be considered continuing the tradition of the medieval tavern band.

Tonight the guitars, violins, cellos, harp, saw, turkey baster, and other assorted instruments peacefully existed with the disco ball, and there wasn't a drum machine to be seen; while a drum machine may have no soul the performances tonight were full of it. As the front door let occasional blast of late-fall air into the room, the warmth of the music was difficult to miss, as was the variety: Everything from standard string arrangements to a very large trio (I didn't count but I'd venture the trio numbered at least twice the usual number) using a upright bass as a percussion instrument and playing a combination of saw (with bow) and turkey baster.

I honestly enjoyed all of the music that was brought before the audience tonight -- consisting of a mix of ClassicalRev regulars and disappointed Browns fans -- but was most interested by the sounds of Trepanning Trio's Balanise Love Song, and the novelty of the trio of harp solos. That's right, not only my first time hearing a live harp in solo form, but this was in a bar, only feet away from me--I can only imagine the logistical hurdles in moving such a large instrument from its home, up a few stairs and in and out of the bar--and it sound was beautifully resonant. Of course the string quintet that started the evening and the string quartet that I ended the evening with were beautiful (particularly the lively dance that I entered to).

(The quintet playing when I first arrived; the harpist playing feet from me; click either for larger version)



Being in a bar, I ordered a delicious Strip Steak along with a couple adult beverages; the steak was good and it was interesting to hear the din of conversation mesh with the din of music: A conversation at the other end of the bar about the Cavs; another conversation when the game was over about the Browns loss; nearby there were discussions about music.

One of the occupants of a nearby bar stool is a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, For those unaware of happenings outside the Cleveland bubble, let me restate that as "a member of the Detroit-Symphony-Orchestra-whos-musicians-are-currently-on-strike". I've been following the situation to the northwest with some curiosity since before the strike started*. The more I learn the less rational, logical, or even sane that orchestra's management strikes (pun not intended) me as--I'm offended by some of management's non-financial work rules proposals reported by the media, and I'm not even a stakeholder. My short conversation with this musician only bolstered my support for the musician's cause. (Cleveland's 1-day strike in January included concerns about a 5% cut in compensation for one year; Detroit is trying to push a 33%+ cash cut without full restoral**.)

So you never know what you're going to encounter at Classical Revolution -- and the variety is what makes it fun. I saw a saw played, I heard a harp mere feet from my ears

Lincoln
*- Though I've avoided writing anything since it's not a topic that I'm by any means qualified to write on -- I know none of that organization's history.
** - Based on the media reports I could find.

Classical Revolution Cleveland @ Prosperity Social Club (9/12)

"The kids are disco dancing / They're tired of rock and roll / I try to tell them 'hey, that drum machine ain't got no soul'" -- The Limosuines, Internet Killed The Video Star*

Classical Revolution should be required reading for anyone who thinks that classical is stuffy, dull, or expensive.

I actually hadn't thought that I was going to be able to attend tonight's edition -- I had a violin lesson scheduled for tonight, and aside from that when I woke up this, um, very late morning I was more sore than I've been in a while and I may, possibly, have been feeling other after effects** from Pandemonium at Cleveland Public Theatre... but as fate would have it my teacher had to reschedule our lesson, and I decided I didn't want to miss this installment.

Held at the same venue as last time, Prosperity Social Club in Tremont. I can't really imagine a better description of the venue than I used in that post, so...

To paint the setting in one word: Bar. To use slightly more words: A narrow, old-school bar in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. The door is flanked with "Thank You" and "Call Again" neon signs; the paneled walls--looking slightly older than the 1940-70s vintage to which I typically attribute that architectural detail--hold advertisements for karaoke, happy hour, and other such events. A lone and strangely out of place disco ball spins in the front corner. The bar itself is well-worn, with the finish giving way to bare wood at places... behind the bar is the standard assortment of alcoholic beverages. Tables are scattered throughout, and a couple pool tables fill a back corner.

Yet in the front corner is something atypical for a bar: A collection of music stands and musical instrument cases.

Once again, the majority of the participants seemed to be CIM students. Where last time the majority of the participants were string players today the winds were well represented. The variety of music throughout the 3 hours of performance I attended***. This is not an environment for critical listening; conversations and clinking glassware developed, progressed, and faded. I had a Gouda Burger which was fantastic and gigantic.

I couldn't make out many of the composers or titles of the pieces as they were announced, but that's not really relevant: All of the music was enjoyable to listen to, and the selections were pleasantly short, so like the Cleveland weather, should you not be fully engaged in a work you needn't wait long before something else came along.

While I've certainly heard string ensembles in intimate settings -- and I'm not sure I'll ever get tired of that vibrancy -- the same can not be said for many of the instruments making an appearance tonight. (It was jokingly suggested, among those at my table, that for additional variety someone may wish to perform hip hop or Chinese techno at a future event)

Starting with a collection of works for solo and duo flute it was an exciting foray into new sounds in an intimate setting: I've only heard solo flute once previously -- in a more formal recital context; and I've not heard duo flute previously -- so it was nice to have the instrument in a more relaxed and intimate environment. Also interesting was duet for flute and bassoon--an unusual pairing of instruments.

Following that was a lively piece played with quartet including baroque violin and baroque cello, though I didn't catch the title of the piece or the composer (such is the peril of being caught with a burger in both hands while a work is being announced) though if I recall correctly it would have originally been played during the intermission of a comedia.

Brass made an appearance in the form of a tuba, trombone, an trumpet playing decidedly more modern music -- including an impressive, toe-tapping head bobbing work that one of the musicians had composed during a required course (Untitled at the Moment).

Strings came back for at collection of Stravinsky string quartets and a concertino before a pair of wind instruments -- that I've never seen or heard before -- appeared. Described as the "medieval oboe" and having a form that remained essentially unchanged from 1200-1500 the two Shawms made lively work out of dance music originally heard in the 1400s

Finally--before my heavy eyelids (through no fault of the music) forced my departure--we have Dvorak's American Quartet. Dvorak's Symphony 9, From the New World, is one of my favorite symphonic works, and that piece borrowed heavily from and built upon sounds that Dvorak found during a trip to America in the late 1800s. The American Quartet shares the foundations of From the New World, and if Wikipedia is to be trusted finished around the same time. To my ear, From The New World gives a very bold and confident extrospective air, while the American Quartet has a much more introspective and soulful -- though lively and not depressing -- feeling.

If you haven't tried Classical Revolution I certainly encourage it -- and bring a friend who thinks they don't like classical with you. Next time will be at the Barking Spider Tavern (University Circle), Sunday, October 24th starting at 3:30.


Lincoln
*- Yeah, I try to avoid quoting the same piece of music in consecutive quotes but it seems appropriate. Plus I'm really digging this song right now.
** - I still can't agree with myself about what to call it. Really, I only had 3 glasses of wine and 'enough' food over 6 hours.
*** - I excused myself befor the evening was completely finished... I think Pandemonium took more out of me than I realized.

Classical Revolution Cleveland @ Prosperity Social Club

Guerrilla -- or Organic -- Classical at its best.

To paint the setting in one word: Bar. To use slightly more words: A narrow, old-school bar in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. The door is flanked with "Thank You" and "Call Again" neon signs; the paneled walls--looking slightly older than the 1940-70s vintage to which I typically attribute that architectural detail--hold advertisements for karaoke, happy hour, and other such events. A lone and strangely out of place disco ball spins in the front corner. The bar itself is well-worn, with the finish giving way to bare wood at places... behind the bar is the standard assortment of alcoholic beverages. Tables are scattered throughout, and a couple pool tables fill a back corner.

Yet in the front corner is something atypical for a bar: A collection of music stands and musical instrument cases.

In fact, this is the first time I've heard classical in a bar... It seems like an odd combination in theory, and it's certainly an odd combination in practice... the din of conversations in a bar, the occasional "thwack" of a pool cue against the cue ball, clanking of glasses and plates. This certainly was not intended to be an environment for critical listening; but that wasn't the point. Nor was this precision playing: This was a let your hair down "jam session" (another first as it relates to classical, for me at least) of pretty darn good musicians... who happened to be playing "Connect 4" and enjoying adult beverages when they weren't making music.

This, on its own was impressive: For the most part, it seems, musical selections were made on the fly, the musicians playing them also arranged themselves on the fly, and there wasn't necessarily the opportunity for advance rehearsal or even coordination [there were several pauses to determine tempo, and I heard "this movement doesn't make any sense" midway through one piece.] Anyone can sound good with enough practice... but to pick up a piece of sheet music and play music that sounds reasonably good on the fly and with a "new" group is an impressive skill.

It was a touch surreal to order a vodka & Coke with a cheeseburger with Schubert being played less than 6 feet away from me, but it worked.

I heard about the event on Facebook via CIM's Twitter feed, and it was aparently sponsored by Cleveland Classical... I hope I don't miss the next one!

As for Tremont, this is the first event I've sucessfully done in Tremont; I've attempted a few events but given up in fustration before finding a place to ditch my car. Parking this evening wasn't too bad, and this non-parallel parking ex-Californian is becoming not-horrible at pulling off the feat.

Lincoln