Thursday, September 16, 2010

Fancy Schmancy HNT

The new symphony season kicks off this weekend. Technically, the summer concert is the first concert of the new season, but this is the one with the big "society" glitz (for as glitzy as Montana gets). It's an odd mix at the concerts. Old and young. And lots of very overdressed people. This is Montana, people. Don't look down your snobby noses at the ones who show up in jeans and a t-shirt!

When did classical music get to be so stuffy? Back in the day, listening to your local orchestra was equivalent to listening to the band in your neighborhood bar. Attending an opera was no more different than going to the movies today. And there certainly was no dress code attached to either the audience or musicians. Black tuxes and formals for musicians?? So unnecessary! Even less so for the audience!

The ridiculousness is made even worse in this town. Inevitably, there's women who way overdress for the occasion. And while their husbands might not be in tuxes, they dress better than they do for business meeting! Why? To be uncomfortable in a hot auditorium, sitting for a couple of hours listening to music? No, it's so that they can be seen. And boy, do they make sure they're seen! Heavy mingling in the lobby. Standing at their seats (particularly the expensive ones), so that all can see that they support the symphony and they're right there.

I suppose I shouldn't complain. There's nothing worse than playing to a small audience. And their enthusiasm during fund-raising is what keeps me off the streets. But personally, I much prefer the audience for the summer concert. Everyone wears what the weather will allow. Far less pretentiousness. All the common folk sitting on the grass. Sorta like it was back in the day...

But I digress. We're playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Sometimes referred to as the Choral Symphony. Arguably the finest piece of music ever written. First time a choir was used in a symphony--all very daring. And they sing the "Ode to Joy". A tune that is almost universally recognized. Beethoven was deaf when he wrote it. One can only imagine what he was hearing in his head as his fingers wrote the composition. At some point, he must have forgotten that he didn't write much for the trombones. With the exception of a brief 60 seconds in the second movement, the trombones have to sit, unfidgeting, and appearing to be interested, for at least 50 minutes before getting to play. And when they do, it's just the men of the choir, the string basses and the bones. What could he have possibly been hearing at this point??

Obviously I have to work on my unfidgetingness. That would include no cell phone pics. This is from Saturday's rehearsal. Remember I mentioned that there were two rehearsals? This is from the first one. We didn't play until halfway through the second. Do I look bored from this shot? I was. The good part though...the trombones got a standing ovation from the woodwind section for coming in at the right time!


Years ago she would she would entertain us with her stories, tug at our hearts with her trials, but always bring a smile to our faces with her HNTs. To her, it was all about the art of the photography and never anything more: the curve of her hip, the details in the lace, the "Orion's Belt" line of freckles on her chest. She hid behind a cloak of anonymity, skittish kitty that she was, and then one day disappeared without a trace. I've always kept in touch with her and as the years have passed, our friendship has grown. I'm her Rascal. She won't be revealing herself but to those long time HNT'ers who pay close attention to certain clues, you'll know who she is. Know that she is doing well these days and still stops by every now and then to say hello.
As usual, a wide and varied collection of pictures over at "...the Other HNT". Be sure to stop by and check out your fellow HNTers! Remember...NSFW!
A new chapter in the OsShirt saga is up over at its site. It's the kick-off to the summer fun!
Still open to suggestions for where to go with my ticket voucher. It's got to be used in the continental U.S. (sorry Moose), and wherever Delta flies (which is just about anywhere, I think). There's a location that is currently at the top of the list, but I could possibly be talked into someplace else. Looking at the end of January/early February, in case there's something going on that I simply shouldn't miss!

48 comments:

Babe Lincoln said...

Beethoven is amazing... what a wonderful piece to perform, even if it is for a bunch of stuffed shirts and overdressed women!

I'm popping in this week for the HNT fun, showing off a new corset.

Elle said...

Good luck with the unfidgetting, sounds and looks like you'll need it ;)

I'm up!

SapioSlut said...

I'm up and finger-lickin' good...

Happy HNT!

Osbasso said...

Jobthingy's up after a night out with friends, and she brought along her own mystery guest this week!

http://jobthingyhnt.blogspot.com/

Mr. Smith said...

Were up too.

Emmy said...

Love Ode to Joy! You could live in the city where people get over dressed and if you wear jeans you are shunned. I had symphony season tickets here for a few years, and my wardrobe grew as a result. :)

I'm up!
Your MG is great.
Happy HNT!
~Emmy

Chapter Two said...

I am up- killing two birds with one stone. (doing a review / hnt together) I am bound and blindfolded (and using a self timer- beware!)

MG- love freckles!

Anonymous said...

My sweet girl Vixen is up:

http://blue-eyedvixen.com/2010/09/between-the-shadow-and-the-soul-hnt/

Sadie said...

OOh, it's a bummer being bored in rehearsal!

Happy HNT! I am up!

The MG is hawt!

xo~Sadie

Anonymous said...

I like the sound of the Summer Concerts..more my kind of thing.. I like to dress up..but feel uncomfortable around pretentious folk.

I'm up

xx

Richard, Shhh... said...

I have an early Dr appt and now I won't get to sleep cuz f'ing Ode to Joy will be running through my aural memory cells for hours! Thanks, grrr...

It fits the theme of my post tho cuz I'm NEKKID as a joyful jaybird this week (dropped the towel), and wrote something largely for the ladies. Come see....

JM said...

OK I'm up, and given your post Os, perhaps a little over-dressed.

Mind you I'm also revealing somewhat more than usual.

Looking forward to seeing this weeks efforts from everyone :-)

Sunny said...

Hi Osbasso, my man Sage told me I should play HNT. He's gone, and its my first time.

I'm up. =)

Sugarmag said...

Yay a mystery guest! I'm up and HHNT~

vixen kitten said...

I'm up with a mystery guest.

~vk~

JackBader said...

Yes it would seem that even being in Montana you will have those stuffy people, but symphony music in the mountains just begs for jeans and a t-shirt.

Im up.. Happy HNT!

CO_Sub said...

I'm in for my very first HNT:)

The Kinky Pixie said...

my lil black dress ..

http://thekinkypixie.blogspot.com/2010/09/hnt-little-black-dress.html

figleaf said...

Testing the question of whether there's anything sexier than a man who's about to bleach the shower...

Happy HNT!

figleaf

Cheeky Minx said...

It's funny how a calf and a foot can encapsulate and express boredom and monotony!

And while I take issue with making people feel uncomfortable, it can be rather nice dressing up and pretending life is a Fellini film every once in a while. But I usually stay out of fountains... ;)

Gorgeous MG. Lovin' the freckles too.

I’m up!
xx

Daniel said...

Ahh, those smartass woodwinds. Everybody's a comedian. ;-)

We're up (and together!)...

-d.

Joanna Cake said...

I regularly have to attend my son's school orchestra concerts and they wear black jackets and ties. The audience is less formal - well me anyway :) Sitting still for 50 mins is a trial there for me too. Invariably I just close my eyes and allow my mind to wander with the background music.

I think opera and classical got hijacked by the posh people for corporate entertaining and it was all downhill from there.

Im late and up with one of those shots that comes as a surprise when you look at the reel. Enjoy x

Fat Controller said...

Our Son was captivated with 'Ode to Joy' as a kid. When the others were stumbling over 'Three Blind Mice' on the recorder, he was teaching himself 'Ode to Joy' which he subsequently went on to teach himself on the clarinet and, finally, the sax.

We're up, by the way!

Anonymous said...

I like to cause a stir by going to the Royal Opera House and sitting in the front row in worn out leggings, trainers and a big tee shirt. Just about as informal as I can get.

I'm back and I'm Up and wondering how 23 people got here before me! Damn time differences.

Anonymous said...

So you're saying I should leave the LBD, diamonds, pearls and mink at home should come to Montana? (Rest assured, the only thing I have in that list is the LBD.) I do loved to dress up for a night on the town, but comfort is key. Then again, most people know I'd rather be undressed... :)

I'm up but still recovering from Gaga and the after party. Yea, it was fun.

The Ethical Slut said...

I'm up, at least half of me is!

NSFW

Happy HNT everyone!

Hubman said...

My earliest memory of Beethoven was as a young kid and thinking his name was pronounced Beth Oven. Thankfully I've learned a little bit since then!

I'm up, and not as nekkid as the title would suggest, and talking about meeting some fellow HNTers last night!

http://hubmanshangout.com/2010/09/16/hnt-nekkid-in-nashville/

HyperSexualGirl said...

Beethoven 9.0 is wonderful.

(I received two malware warnings when visiting your site today. I suspect they're false positives.)

I'm up!

Maggie said...

You do look rather bored. I'm up!

Another Suburban Mom said...

The mystery guest is lovely and I never understood getting dressed up in a big stiff dress or a tux to sit and listen to music either.

I am also up and soapy this morning.


HHNT!

RHYME AND RETRO said...

You won't believe what I'm up to this week.

BTExpress said...

Bored or not, at least you didn't have to practice very much.

I'm up with a bunch of pics from the summer. I'm sure going to miss all the fun.

Jobthingy said...

good thing you dont fall asleep waiting that long *giggles*

i am up, of course.

HHNT babe!

XOXO

Ruby said...

I'm up!

http://blog.eroticnotebook.co.uk/2010/09/slam.html

Shhh.... said...

Wow, there is no way I could sit that long without fidgeting. Good luck! *hugs*

I'm up. :)

DD said...

I love MG's freckles! :)

I'm up at www.adoubledos.blogspot.com

viemoira said...

nope- I certainly move far too much for that (as I sit here trying to type while I shake lol)...
I'm up going kung fu on the bamboo pile's ass...
gotta make work fun sometimes ;)
Happy HNT everyone!!
MG- <3 the freckles!!!
~viemoira

heelsnstocking said...

I'm up sorry I tooted late been getting wisdom tooth out :( they failed and I'm home with an ice pack on face feeling v sorry for self

Anonymous said...

Hi Os,
Happy HNT! We are up with a very erotic HNT picture this week. Come by and check it out! :D

http://darkside-journey.blogspot.com/

Hugs,
padme

Anonymous said...

luscious MG

i'm up with a little awesomesauce...

Kyle said...

Watching, waiting..

http://www.butchtastic.net/?p=4281

Os, when I clicked over to your site, I got a security warning about rpc.blogrolling and the potential for malware.. any credence to that warning?

Lucid Obsession said...

First time HNT!

http://lucidobsession.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/hnt-1/

scintillectual said...

Better late than never...my legs are up.

http://scintillectual.com/?p=614

Anonymous said...

I think we all have some pics stashed away of ourselves in many moments of boredom. lol. love it!

Anonymous said...

I'm in!! First HNT without help from Jobthingy...


http://ranteruninhibited.blogspot.com/

Maeve said...

I'm late, but up...Have a good one!

CbE said...

I did not play this week but will be playing again soon. Just wanted say hello and HHNT!

A suggestion for a destination....Florida! When I'm going to be there. Then we can accidentally run into eachother! Hehhee

Faltenin said...

Give the skittish kitty a kiss for me next time you chat with her... !