Daily Blague

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra presses onward with its demonstration that conductors are perhaps unnecessary. Listening to the orchestra play Schumann's Second Symphony, a serious if idiosyncratic entry in the catalogue of Important German Symphonies, was about as exciting an experience as I could stand in a concert hall - or anywhere else, for that matter. It was odd, odd, odd, to hear the music and not to see a conductor. How was it happening? What if someone went astray? What if someone led a whole section astray?

I wanted Kathleen to attempt a description of violinist Janine Jansen's gown, but she's not here, so I'll have to essay one myself. Ms Jansen is a pretty, fit, medium-tall young woman, and she plays with her knees (so to speak). Her gusto brought the hem of her voluminous tulle skirt to the floor fairly regularly; ordinarily, it hovered at her instep (she was wearing highish heels). The bodice of the gown was like nothing so much as a Roman breastplate, but without the shoulders. A serious fashion statement, and definitely not your standard concert-artist couture. Oh, and she played the Mendelssohn e-minor really well, too. 

¶ Orpheus at Carnegie Hall.