This was my first time hearing Mahler live
Saw a performance this weekend by the Long Beach Symphony. My first time at this venue Terrace Theater -- basically connected to Long Beach Convention Center. We had good seats, I was expecting a full sound that I've experience in Segerstrom's, but was pretty disappointed with the acoustics (man, I sound like I have a stick up my ass...). I had to strain to hear the harpsichord during the Bach Overture. I would like to sit in a few different locations for upcoming performances to see if the issue is systemic.
Mahler's 4th has four movements (which btw, interesting note: People applauded after most of the movements, something that I've never seen happen at Segerstrom. I actually liked it.) which the last two ended quietly and serenely. Not what I expected after reading many cases where Mahler took sound to the next level...he usually was asking music to be turned up to an eleven basically. I can't give any technical feedback because I went into this performance blind. I when in to experience, not to analyze.
I would like to give this another listen, but it is an hour long and it is hard to find blocks of time like that these days. I know that many consider the 3rd movement of this pieces to be a good beginners introduction to Mahler. I can't remember any strong feelings after the second movement, but the first was interesting. It felt like I was all over the place, possibly many music time changes happening (¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Lovely evening out in Long Beach.
