After class a couple of us went with Professor Bergman to see the big auditorium at Carnegie Hall. As soon as I walked in I was amazed. The stage alone was unbelievably beautiful. The emptiness of the stage, except for a grand piano was very inspiring. I felt an urge to run up and just in the middle and take it all in! Of course I didn't, but it was still exciting. Looking out at the seats was also intimidating since there were so many; over 2000 I believe.

After leaving the auditorium I was excited for the performance later on that day. The smaller hall was not as grand but it was still very amazing. The chandeliers in that hall were so amazing; I think I could have spent a couple hours just staring up at it!

Soon the lights dimmed and it was time for the performances to begin. The first was on the piano. I was surprised to see that the musician was not Chinese. I assumed the performers would be Chinese since it was a Chinese Festival. However, this fact did not take away from the experience what so ever. I was very excited that the piece was done on the piano. I used to practice piano, but stopped about 5 years ago. Every time I see a piano, I feel a tinge in my heart and wish I could go back to it, but never find the time to actually do so. As the performer played I heard that the music was different from the typical music I've heard before. The notes sounded more harsh and sharp. It reminded me of a song I learned as a child that was made up completely of sharps and flats. Coincidentally, that song was also meant to sound Asian, perhaps flats and sharps is Western music's way of alluding to Asian music. The pianist would play slow then out of nowhere the pace sped up so quickly that it surprised me and I was afraid for what was to come. I completely agree that the song had an eerie mood to it.

The next one, with the various instruments, was different but equally interesting. My favorite aspect of that one was the way the musicians were able to keep time so well. They would all stop and then play at EXACTLY the same time. This to me is amazing it was like they were all one, but then they would break up into different parts. I felt like my mind was constantly moving between the instruments. At times I would hear just the cello and the strong notes it would play. Other times I would hear only the flute and its soft, frilly, notes. Some times I could distinctly hear the notes of the piano as it traveled up and down the octaves. Then my mind would take a step back and hear it all in unison. By the time the piece finished I was overwhelmed by how much was going on. The break was very much needed.

The third performance with the different string instruments was very different. When they began plucking the instruments instead of using the bow I was very confused. Not only was the sound something I have never heard before, but also the musicians looked strange (to my eye) performing such an act. However, I think it built to the scenario the composer described before the performance. I also thought the contrast between the fluid sounds of the violin and cello against the plucking was very interesting. I liked that piece.

The percussionist piece was another piece that I found very interesting. As was mentioned in class, when I first heard the tin tapping of the gong instrument I didn’t think it sounded very musical. It seemed unnatural and just like a clatter. When the gong was hit so that it rang it was a wonderful contrast. I loved the part where all of the percussionists were playing at the same time. It was mind-boggling how they could do that without loosing their own rhythm and getting distracted by the others or hitting into each other.

The final piece, I think was my favorite. It's hard to really pinpoint why though. I really liked the variety of instruments. Also I LOVED the big drums. They were so powerful! I could literally feel the music pulsing in my heart. It was to me like a war sound, dramatic, powerful, possibly good, but possibly bad.

Overall I very much enjoyed my first experience at Carnegie Hall. It was thought provoking, at time overwhelming, different, but that's never a bad thing.