Oh man... London Symphony Orchestra is coming. Which performance should I go to?

[Recursion]

I have two options:

1.
Elgar's cello concerto
Mahler's first symphony

2.
Night on Bald Mountain
Tchaikovsky's violin concerto
Petrushka

I can afford to go once but probably not twice. Suggestions? I know all the pieces decently well except for the Tchaikovsky.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I think that I would go to the second symphony.

Mahler is lovely, but very long.

I love Night on Bald Mountain and Petrushka, and Tchaikovsky is a great favorite of mine.

But you may feel differently!

If you really can't decide, flip a coin.



And enjoy yourself!

[TexasTowelie]

2. When I was in college there was a symposium on Gustav Mahler's works.

I'd opt for the second night though.

[Recursion]

3. I know his chamber stuff better

Actually I probably know anybody's chamber stuff better than their orchestral stuff, but still...

Card 2 is looking more exciting, but I wonder if I should have an "eat your brussel sprouts" moment with the first night instead...

[Arcanetrance]

4. Personally I would go with the tchaikovsky

I think it would be more of a treat to listen to something you have less familiarity with. The music would probably hit deeper and surprise more that way

[Recursion]

5. It's a downside of having taught music theory...

... I don't want to "waste" a live performance on a piece I don't already know the structure of (yes, I know that sounds awful...). Maybe I'll youtube it a bit first.

[Arcanetrance]

6. Doesn't sound awful at all for you knowing the structure helps enhance your enjoyment

[elleng]

9. OK, Study up!

[malthaussen]

7. If you don't know the violin concerto...

... then you should go to that concert. Expand your repertoire!

-- Mal

[elleng]

8. I'd go for #2,

as the Russians have my heart, especially those 2.

The Tchaikovsky violin concerto is one of the outstanding ones, imo. Who's the violinist?

[Recursion]

10. Simovic for the concerto, apparently

But the concertmaster is Nikolitch

http://lso.co.uk/players

[Tuesday Afternoon]

11. #2 for all the reasons listed above by other posters.

Enjoy, whichever you choose.

[MissMillie]

12. I love Mahler's First Symphony

and I love cello concertos

so I pick that one.

[Le Taz Hot]

13. Definitely the Mahler.

Mainly because I LERVE Mahler. On the other hand, there's really no "wrong" choice here. You'll have a wonderful experience regardless.

[OriginalGeek]

14. I know I'm no classical expert

But I love Tchaikovsky and Night on Bald Mountain is just one of my favorite things ever. I don't think I'd be able to pass up that one - keeping in mind that I am not familiar with Mahler or Elgar at all unless they have been used in Bugs Bunny cartoons.


Truth be told I'd feel pretty lucky to be at either one - but if I was picking I'd pick the second.

#Idon'tknowmuchaboutartbutIknowwhatIlike