YouTube Symphony Observations

Sorry I didn't get this up sooner, but I did survive the YouTube Symphony experience and live to tell about it. Once again, good old Carnegie Hall succeeds in making Lincoln Center look old and stodgy.

First off, one had to notice the variety of attendees to this concert. Not your typical Carnegie Hall crowd. Second, Carnegie was very relaxed about cameras (without flash) and video cameras. As can be evidenced by a search on YouTube, a number of people posted highlights of their experience. Knowing that in advance, I would have brought my Flip Video Recorder. Check out this example: YouTube Symphony Highlights

The performance itself ran the risk of being gimmicky, and why not? It was something that in concept was new and untested. Overall, the orchestra played very well, and if the interaction with technology during the performance was rather basic, (video interludes, some lighting effects, a beautiful integration of a Bach solo cello work with YouTube video accompaniment called Women in Art, and one work by Mason Bates, which I loved, that incorporated electronics with the orchestra, Warehouse Medicine), it was the thought behind the experience. To think that interactions on the web could result in bringing an orchestra together for three rehearsal days and one concert is quite impressive. A number of the members had other day jobs or otherwise pursued music as an avocation. One physicist from Columbia could be found in the bass section. As he put it, it was great for YouTube to choose classical music rather than the "YouTube Basketball Team". Just consider the implications for bringing musicians together to perform who have similar interests.

YouTube posted the entire concert in two sections on their site under YouTube Symphony. I do wish they would break the concert down into smaller portions and post them with an "HQ" option. Hopefully, that is underway.

I heard a report in the Fall on NPR that takes things some steps further: online collaboration in composition. Musicians get together online and work, often at great distances, together on a composition. Other variations on this theme include musicians sending work to one another and collaborating on the development and editing process, often resulting in a finished work quite different than anyone anticipated. See NPR's Music and Technology Series for a wealth of ideas. You could be lost there for days.

For a more detailed examination of the Carnegie Hall performance, see my colleague and friend, James Frankel's blog - he took the whole family. YouTube Symphony Review

Thanks to Robin for posting a link to the New York Times Review.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!